Due to train problems, Belgian flag bearer Maximilien Drion did not arrive at the San Siro Stadium in Milan in time for the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics on Friday evening. As the ski mountaineer cannot be replaced, short track speed skater Hanne Desmet is now the only Belgian flag bearer.
“Maximilien was supposed to arrive by train from Switzerland on Friday afternoon. He was on his way to participate in the opening ceremony as the Belgian flag bearer, and then travel back to Switzerland tomorrow,” explained the Belgian Olympic and Interfederal Committee (BOIC).
“Due to problems with his train connections, he will not arrive in Milan in time for the opening ceremony. Maximilien is now on his way back to his base to continue his preparations for the Olympic competition. On 17 February, two days before the competition, he will travel to Bormio.”
Following Drion’s withdrawal, fifteen Belgian athletes will participate in the opening ceremony for the Winter Olympics in Italy. Team Belgium will be represented at three of the four locations where an opening ceremony will be held. Eleven athletes will be present at San Siro in Milan, where Hanne Desmet will carry the flag.
The Belgian delegation will normally enter the stadium at around 8.45 pm, as the tenth country in alphabetical order (in Italian), between Azerbaijan and Benin.
The San Siro Stadium hosts the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games © BELGA PHOTO JASPER JACOBS
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