Athletes from the ISU sports Figure Skating, Short Track and Speed Skating featured prominently as flagbearers in the magnificent Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 in Milan Friday at the San Siro Stadium.

A total of 26 skaters proudly carried their flags: 12 figure skaters, 10 short track skaters and 4 speed skaters. 

Here are some comments of the flag bearers.

Figure Skating

South Korea's flagbearers Park Ji-woo (L) and Cha Jun-Hwan parade during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 on 6 February, 2026 in Milano © Getty Images

Junhwan Cha (KOR) carried the flag together with speed skater Jii-Woo Park (KOR).

“It's such an honor to be the flagbearer at the opening ceremony,” Cha said. “Before that, I will cheer for our team in Korea [at the team event], so I'm very happy about that. Actually, it's my first time being on the opening ceremony. I never went to the opening ceremony before, so I'm really excited.

"The flagbearer stands at the front of the team, and I hope that the positive energy from this role can be passed on to all the athletes of the Republic of Korea," he continued.

Spanish ice dancer Olivia Smart learned that she would be a flag bearer following the ISU European Championships last month.

“It was a very, very big surprise because there's so many great athletes for Spain,” she commented. “I guess I haven't really realized how much I have done for the sport of ice dance from skating with Adrian [Diaz] to skating with Tim [Dieck] now and the results. I'll carry the flag very proudly for Team Spain in the opening ceremony. We're a smaller team, but it'll be very, very nice. Very different experience because I won't be able to hold my phone and take pictures and videos now,” she continued, laughing.

“Seeing Olivia in the front with the flag is going to be a very special moment,” partner Tim Dieck added.

 Flagbearers Diana Davis and Luka Berulava of Team Georgia during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 on 6 February, 2026 in Milano © Getty Images

Georgian skaters Luka Berulava and Diana Davis. Berulava said:

"First of all I am very proud that I will carry the Georgian flag. I want to thank the Georgian Olympic Committee and the country. Thank you to our teammates that trust me with this opportunity to carry the Georgian flag in my third Olympic Games (including the Youth Olympic Games)."

Davis added: "I’m very glad. It’s a great honor.”

Her partner Gleb Smolkin added with a smile:

“I hope the flag is not going to be too heavy, otherwise Luka will have to carry it by himself.”

 Flagbearer of Great Britain Lilah Fear during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 on 6 February, 2026 in Milano © Getty Images

Ice Dancer Lilah Fear (GBR) led team GB as flagbearer into the stadium. 

"The word honour doesn't quite cut it, but that's all I can think of to say right now. It's something that was so unexpected, but means so much to me and I'm extremely proud," she commented. 

Fear was thinking of her parents as she marched in the ceremony: 

"I had a short moment with them today to give them a hug, and just knowing they're there, and they're the reason that I'm doing what I'm doing, that means everything, and I'm bearing the flag for them, too." 

Short Track

Short Track legend Arianna Fontana of Italy was chosen as flagbearer for host country. 

"I was a flagbearer in PyeongChang and it was really special then, but tonight we're at home in Italy, in Milan, really close to my hometown, so tonight is going to be really special," she shared.

Hanne Desmet of Belgium shared: 

"I'm very excited. This is the first time I've been walking in the Opening Ceremony and to be the flagbearer as well is super cool.

"I haven't done any specific exercises for it. I'll go with my instincts, that's the best way. I don't know how heavy the flag is, I haven't even seen it, so I don't really know what's waiting for me. I'm a bit nervous I'm going to be sore in my arms tomorrow."

China's flag bearers Zhang Chutong and Ning Zhongyan during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 on 6 February, 2026 in Milano © Getty Images

Chutong Zhang (CHN) commented: “I felt extremely honoured. As a Chinese athlete, being able to represent China and walk at the front of the delegation carrying our national flag at the Winter Olympic Games is incredibly exciting and a very proud moment for me.

“At my first Olympic Games I was younger and not as composed. I felt I had not matured enough and was too eager for results. 

"This time, I want to focus on the process, take things step by step and stay steady, without that sense of impatience.”

Netherlands' flag bearer Jens Van T Wout parades with other athletes during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 on 6 February, 2026 in Milano © Getty Images

Jens van T Wout carried the flag for the Netherlands. 

"It's such an honour that I can do this for my country here in beautiful Milan," he noted. His only fear was that he might trip and fall. "That's shot through my mind, 'just don't fall'," he said laughing. 

He feels now even with his brother, fellow Short Track skater Melle van T Wout.
"He was flagbearer at the European Youth Olympics, so now it's my turn."

Speed Skating

Erin Jackson during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 on 6 February, 2026 in Milano © Getty Images

Speed skater Erin Jackson carried the flag for the USA. 

"It's an amazing feeling, being able to lead Team USA into the Olympics," she said. 

"It's overwhelming to think about and it's going to be amazing. Having my teammate Brittany Bowe walking in next to me, because she was a flagbearer at the last Olympics. So we get to switch roles this time, and it's great to keep that legacy going within us, speed skating and Team USA." 

Norway's flag bearer Peder Kongshaug parades with other athletes during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 on 6 February, 2026 in Milano © Getty Images

Peder Kongshaug was chosen as Norway's flagbearer at his second Olympic Winter Games.

"It's a great honour, of course. I've grown up always watching the Olympics and watching the Opening Ceremony. There's always been a question of who's going to carry the flag for Norway, and now I'm there, so that's a bit surreal."

See the full list of flag bearers from ISU Sports to discover them all.