Ala Tsuper named Belarus’ flag bearer for 2018 Winter Olympics opening ceremony

Freestyle skier Ala Tsuper, 2014 Olympic champion, will be Belarus’ flag bearer at the opening ceremony of the XXIII Winter Olympic Games in PyeongChang, BELTA reports quoting the press service of the National Olympic Committee.

The flag bearer was chosen at the general meeting of Belarusian athletes in PyeongChang. Tsuper suited most, head of the Belarusian Olympic mission Alyaksandr Baravulya noted.

"Biathlon, cross country ski race, short track and speed skating events will start on February 10. We did not want to interrupt the schedule of preparations for the most important competitions taking place once in 4 years. Furthermore, the flag bearer should be an experienced and well-known athlete. Ala Tsuper was a good candidate and she is planning to compete for a medal in PyeongChang. That is why it was decided to entrust her with this mission,” Baravulya explained.  

Famous skier Syarhei Dalidovich expressed a desire to be a flag bearer earlier. 

Ice hockey player Aleh Antonenka was Belarus’ flag bearer at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. Olympic freestyle skiing champion Alyaksey Hryshyn was chosen for the mission in Sochi in 2014.

The opening ceremony of the 2018 Olympic Games in PyeongChang will start at 2 p.m. on February 9. It will be broadcast live on Belarus 1.