Slalom canoeist Jess Fox and hockey player Eddie Ockenden have been chosen as Australia’s flag-bearers for the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics.
Advertisement
The ceremony, set to take place on the Seine on Saturday, July 26 2024 morning Australian time, will feature the parade of athletes.
Jess Fox, competing in her fourth Olympics, previously won silver in the women’s K1 canoe slalom at the 2012 London Games and gold in the C1 event at the Tokyo Olympics.
Born in Marseille and moved to Australia at age four, Fox expressed her excitement, highlighting the significance of representing both her French and Australian heritage.
Advertisement
Eddie Ockenden, making his fifth Olympic appearance, will be the first Tasmanian to carry Australia’s flag. Ockenden has previously won bronze in men’s hockey at the 2008 and 2012 Games and silver in Tokyo.
He described the honor as overwhelming and expressed deep gratitude.
Fox’s selection marks only the second time a canoeist has carried the Australian flag, following Dennis Green in 1972.
Both Fox and Ockenden are celebrated for their contributions to their respective sports, and their roles as flag-bearers add a special touch to Australia’s participation in the Paris Olympics.
Leave a Reply