Maude Charron and Andre De Grasse named Canada's flag bearers for Paris 2024 opening ceremony
Both won gold medals at Tokyo 2020.
Olympic champions Maude Charron and Andre De Grasse will be Team Canada’s flag bearers for the Paris 2024 opening ceremony, the Canadian Olympic Committee announced on Wednesday.
In her Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, Charron won gold in the women’s 64kg weightlifting event, becoming just the second Canadian ever to become an Olympic champion in the sport.
At Paris 2024, Charron will compete in the 59kg weight class because the 64kg event was removed from the Olympic program and she was forced to adapt. She won a bronze medal at the 2022 world championships in the 59kg category, her first medal at worlds, and added a silver at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games.
“Fourteen years ago, I was running with the Olympic torch in the streets of Rimouski and I believed it was the closest I would get to Olympism in my life, Charron said in a press release. “Today I’m learning I will be a co-flag bearer for our country I’ve represented with honour for the last 10 years.
“Words are not enough to express my gratitude and the joy I feel to be chosen to lead the way for this extraordinary and talent-filled team.”
De Grasse is a six-time Olympic medallist and is the reigning 200m champion. He will lead Canada into his third Games as Canada’s most decorated male summer Olympian, and one back of swimmer Penny Oleksiak for the most of any Canadian athlete.
He became the first Canadian athlete to win Olympic medals in all three sprint events (bronze in the 100m, silver in the 200m and bronze in the 4x100m relay) at Rio 2016, and repeated that feat at Tokyo 2020 (bronze in the 100m, gold in the 200m and silver in the 4x100). His 200m gold in Tokyo was the first time a Canadian won a gold medal in any track event in 25 years — since Donovan Bailey won the 100m at Atlanta 1996 and Canada’s 4x100 team took the Olympic title as well.
“I’m speechless – I’ve been trying to get the words out,” said De Grasse in a press release. “It’s definitely overwhelming, but I’m really pumped up and I’m really excited to try to take that on for the country and bring it home for Team Canada.
“So thank you. Thank you to everybody that has been part of giving me that opportunity. I look forward to representing the country to my highest capability.”
Charron will be the first weightlifter to serve as Canada’s opening ceremony flag bearer at an Olympic Games. De Grasse will be the first track and field athlete to do it since Charmaine Crooks at Atlanta 1996.
The athletes were given the news of their selection on a video call with Canada’s Paris 2024 Chef de Mission Bruny Surin (who was on that 4x100 team in 1996) and Eric Myles, the COC’s Chief Sport Officer.
“The Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony will be one-of-a-kind and Canada will be led by two athletes that personify our nation,” said Surin in a press release. “As Olympic champions, Maude and Andre were chosen not only for their amazing achievements but also for the inspirations they continue to be for all Canadians. It will be an unforgettable moment that I can’t wait to experience along with them.”
The Olympics will begin in the French capital on Friday officially kicking off with a one-of-a-kind opening ceremony on the Seine River. The ceremony will include of a parade of boats down a stretch of the river, carrying athletes past several of Paris’ most iconic landmarks.
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