To be allowed to carry the Swedish flag during the opening of the Olympics is one of sport’s greatest honors. For the Swedish Ski Association, it becomes extra special when both standard bearers come from the association’s operations, but from two different sports that together show the breadth of Swedish skiing and snowboarding.
Both are reigning Olympic champions from the 2022 Winter Olympics. Walter Wallberg took gold in the hump and Sara Hector won the giant slalom. That they now receive the honorary assignment is a clear recognition of their achievements at the highest international level and their importance for Swedish skiing.
– That two of our Olympic champions get to carry the flag is a great honor for all of Skiing and Snowboarding Sweden. Both Sara and Walter are strong role models who inspire both young and established skiers around the country, says Pernilla Bonde, secretary general of the Swedish Ski Association.
Together, Sara and Walter represent different paths in skiing – but with the same driving force: the joy of skiing and the desire to get better every day.
– It feels so honored to be Sweden’s standard bearer, something I could not have dreamed of getting a request for, to represent Sweden already at the opening of the Olympics! It’s really cool to be part of the Swedish team, we are a strong Swedish team and everyone has been working for this for such a long time. Now we’re going to pull out and give the iron. It feels super cool that we finally get to start this Olympics, it’s going to be so much fun! says Sara Hector.
And Walter Wallberg is just as happy about the honorable mission.
– It feels great to be one of Sweden’s standard bearers! I myself remember in 2018 when I did my first inauguration and I think it was Niklas Edin who was the standard bearer. Then I thought that I will be that one day, and now I am. It feels like a milestone that has been reached. It feels very fun and very great to be able to represent Sweden and to be the standard bearer at the opening, says Walter Wallberg.
Of Sweden’s 27 standard bearers through time, 16 now come from the Swedish Ski Association’s squad. It is a clear receipt of strong performances over time – and of a business that delivers results on more levels than the medal statistics.
Among former standard bearers are profiles such as Anders Södergren, Anja Pärson, Pernilla Wiberg and Thomas Wassberg. Together with this year’s standard bearers, they form a strong story about Swedish skiing – from generation to generation.
See the full list of the Skiing Association’s standard bearers for the respective Olympics.
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