Mikaël Kingsbury and Marielle Thompson, both seasoned Olympic athletes, have been selected as Canada’s flag-bearers for the upcoming Winter Games in Italy. The Canadian Olympic Committee revealed this decision on Wednesday, announcing that Kingsbury and Thompson will lead their freestyle skiing and snowboard teammates in the opening ceremony in Livigno on Feb. 6.
This year’s Winter Olympics will be unique, with the parade of nations happening in different locations simultaneously, including Milan’s San Siro Stadium and the mountain clusters of Cortina and Predazzo. The event will be the most spread out in Olympic history, with Canada’s 200-plus member team and athletes from 92 other countries spread across six Olympic villages in Northern Italy, covering 22,000 square kilometers.
Kingsbury, a renowned moguls skier with three Olympic medals and 100 World Cup wins, expressed his pride and excitement at being chosen as a flag-bearer. Thompson, a ski cross racer from Whistler, B.C., who has previously won gold and silver medals at the Olympics, is determined to make a strong comeback after a knee injury last season.
The opening ceremony, where Kingsbury and Thompson will lead Team Canada, will be broadcast live on CBC-TV. Viewers can also catch the full coverage on CBC Gem and the CBC Olympic website. This year marks a special occasion as Kingsbury and Thompson are the third pair of athletes from different sports to share the honor of being flag-bearers for Canada.
As Kingsbury prepares for his final Olympics, he aims to add to his impressive medal collection. Thompson, on the other hand, is returning from setbacks but remains determined to showcase her skills on the world stage once again. Both athletes are looking forward to the challenges and opportunities that the Milano Cortina Winter Games will bring.
Kingsbury, known for his dominance in moguls skiing, is set to compete in dual moguls at the Olympics for the first time. With a remarkable career featuring numerous accolades, Kingsbury is eager to make his mark in Italy. Thompson, with her perseverance and resilience through injuries, is ready to give her best performance and continue Canada’s success in ski cross.
The journey to the Winter Games has been a significant one for both Kingsbury and Thompson, filled with challenges and triumphs. As they gear up to represent Canada on the global stage once again, they are determined to make their country proud and create lasting memories at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics.