Military athletes selected as flag bearers for the Winter Olympics opening ceremony
UK Armed Forces athletes Flight Lieutenant Nicole Burger and Private Mica Moore have been selected as Flag Bearers for their respective nations at Friday's opening ceremony of the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milano-Cortina.
RAF athlete Flt Lt Burger, who represents South Africa in skeleton, and Army reservist Pte Moore, who represents Jamaica in bobsleigh, will carry their flags into the world-famous San Siro Stadium in Milan as the 25th Olympic Winter Games officially gets underway.
They are among five UK Armed Forces athletes at the Olympic Games, which are spread across northern Italy.
Reacting to the news, Flt Lt Burger, who is competing in her first Olympic Games, said in a post on social media: "I'm completely honoured and such a privilege to be named Flag Bearer here in Cortina along with Matt Smith.
"It's a dream come true to get to the Olympics and then to bear the flag for South Africa, so hope everyone tunes in and we'll see you soon."
Pte Moore, who is representing Jamaica for the first time after she represented Great Britain at the games in 2018, said in a post on social media: "This moment means everything.
"To me, the flag isn’t just fabric, it’s a symbol of not giving up. Every step of this journey has been about taking whatever life throws at you and smiling right back in its face.
"The highs, the setbacks, the graft, the belief, it all led here. Thank you to the Jamaica Olympic Association for this beautiful honour. One I know I’ll remember forever."
The opening ceremony of the 2026 Olympic Winter Games will get underway at 7pm UK time.
Get to know the other UK Armed Forces athletes competing in Milano-Cortina here.
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