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Germany Names Leon Draisaitl and Katharina Schmid Flagbearers for Milan-Cortina Opening Ceremony

A combined athlete-public ballot drew more than 135,000 participants to select them.

Overview

  • Draisaitl will carry the flag in Milan, while Schmid leads Germany’s delegation in Predazzo.
  • The NHL’s return to the Olympics makes Draisaitl a first-time Olympian despite his long pro career.
  • Draisaitl was shortlisted alongside luge great Tobias Wendl and Nordic combined veteran Johannes Rydzek under criteria highlighting sporting success and fair-play role models.
  • Schmid enters her fourth Olympics after winning silver medals in 2018 and 2022.
  • Germany’s men’s hockey team opens group play on Feb. 12 against Denmark, then faces Latvia on Feb. 14 and the United States on Feb. 15.