Bronze medallists Ashlie Slatter and Atl Ongay-Perez have been selected as flagbearers for the Closing Ceremony of the Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games.
The figure skating partners were told the news after winning the bronze medal following the ice dance competition yesterday (Tuesday 30 January).
Slatter and Ongay-Perez will carry the Union Flag into the open plaza in front of the Gangneung Hockey Centre where the Closing Ceremony will be held, concluding the fourth edition of the Winter Youth Olympic Games.
Slatter said: “It’s such an honour, I never thought that we would be the ones holding the flag and I’m very excited. It’s an amazing opportunity for both of us as the Youth Olympics has been such a journey for us winning bronze and now being chosen to carry the flag together. I’m really proud of us.”
Ongay-Perez said “Honestly, it’s such an amazing opportunity and privilege, I just can’t believe it. Had you told me two weeks ago that I’d be closing the ceremony here in Gangwon I probably would have laughed in your face. I’m overwhelmed with excitement and I can’t wait to wave the flag with pride.”
Eve Muirhead, Team GB’s Chef de Mission for Gangwon 2024, said: “Ashlie and Atl thoroughly deserve the honour of being our Closing Ceremony flagbearers. They have been phenomenal ambassadors for their sport and to win a bronze medal shows how exceptionally well they have done.”
“The whole team have performed amazingly and we’ve had so many historic moments to make it the most successful winter Olympic event in Team GB history. It’s been a really special experience for me, especially going from competing to being on the other side. I’m very proud of everyone in the team, and have loved being involved in it.”
With over 1,800 athletes in action over the last 13 days, Gangwon 2024 was the largest Winter Youth Olympic Games to date. With one day of competition still to come, Team GB have already secured three gold medals – a record for Team GB at a winter Olympic event – along with a silver and bronze.
Among Team GB’s medal winners so far is alpine skier Zak Carrick-Smith, who claimed two gold medals and one silver within the first week of competition to make him Team GB’s most successful winter athlete ever. He is the third Brit to win gold at a winter Youth Olympic Games, following the achievements of Madi Rowlands (freeski halfpipe) and Ashleigh Pittaway (skeleton) at Lillehammer 2016, and the first ever to win an alpine skiing medal for Team GB at any Olympic event.
Away from the slopes, Logan Carson, Tia Laurie, Holly Burke and Archie Hyslop became Team GB’s first-ever Youth Olympic curling champions, claiming gold in the mixed team event following a 7-5 victory over Denmark.
All the results from Team GB at Gangwon 2024 can be found here.
