Who are the flag bearers for Team USA at the Winter Olympic 2026 closing ceremony?
Two five-time Olympians who leave Milan–Cortina 2026 with gold medals have been elected to carry the United States national flag into Verona Arena.
Erin Jackson and Frank Del Duca performed the honors at the Opening Ceremony and Hilary Knight and Evan Bates have been chosen to by their fellow athletes to carry the United States national flag into Verona Arena for today’s Closing ceremony.
The pair were confirmed as Team USA’s official flag-bearers by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee.
Hilary Knight: five time Olympian
The two athletes have appeared at five Olympic Games each. Knight, a member of Team USA’s women’s ice hockey team since she was a teenager, made her Olympic bow at 2010 Vancouver. She is a five-time medalist, winning her second gold at the current tournament as the United States defeated Canada in overtime in Thursday’s final. Hilary was part of the US team that collected the gold medal at 2018 Pyeongchang and picked up silver at 2010 Vancouver, 2014 Sochi and 2022 Beijing.
“Being chosen to represent the United States on the world stage is a tremendous honor‚” said Knight, who has captained the women’s national ice hockey team since 2023 . “It’s a moment that reflects far more than one individual. It represents my teammates, my family, and everyone across the country who believes in the power of sport. The Olympic Winter Games remind us how sport can unite and inspire, and I’m incredibly proud to carry that spirit forward as a Closing Ceremony flag bearer.”
Gold and silver at Milan–Cortina 2026
Like Hilary Knight, ice dancer Evan Bates also leaves Milan–Cortina 2026 with a gold medal. He also debuted at 2010 Vancouver, partnered by Emily Samuelson. He appeared at the following four winter games alongside his dancer partner and wife Madison Chock.
The pair won their first Olympic gold at 2022 Beijing, and added another two medals to their collections this year in Milan - they picked up gold in the Figure Skating Team Event - their Ice Dance routine scored 91.06. Four days later they were back on the podium, awarded the silver medal in the Ice Dance event with a score of 89.72 - just just 1.43 points behind French pair, Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron.
“I’m deeply grateful to be selected as flag bearer and to represent both the United States and the sport of figure skating in this way,” Bates said. “To share this honor with Hilary makes it even more meaningful. My experience at the Milano Cortina Games has truly been incredible in so many ways, and I’m filled with appreciation for everyone who helped make it possible.”
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