In a historic achievement, figure skater Lilah Fear has been selected to carry the flag at the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, making her the first figure skater to receive this honor since Christopher Dean did so 42 years ago. Fear will share this prestigious role with bobsledder Brad Hall.
Christopher Dean, alongside his partner Jayne Torvill, captured the hearts of millions during their iconic performance of “Boléro” at the 1984 Winter Olympics, which drew an astounding 24 million viewers. Fear, who recently earned a bronze medal at the European Championships, is inspired by comparisons to the legendary duo, expressing her excitement about the honor.
“I learned the statistic today and there is a lot where they come up in conversation around us, which is such a ‘pinch me’ moment,” Fear said. She is eager to absorb all the positive energy leading up to the Games in Milan.
Originally from Connecticut and currently based in Montreal, Fear’s American accent might catch British fans off guard, but her journey towards the Olympics has deep roots in the UK. She shared her pride in representing Team GB, recalling how she felt when she first wore the team’s jacket while skating at Queens Ice Bowl in London. “I just felt so proud to be Team GB,” she reminisced, despite being told her uniform was inaccurate.
On Friday, Fear’s schedule will be busy as she prepares for her flag-bearing duties, having been nominated by chef de mission Eve Muirhead, who served as flag bearer during the Beijing Olympics before winning a gold medal in curling. Early that morning, Fear and her skating partner, Lewis Gibson, will practice at 6am before starting their Olympic campaign in the team event later that day.
While she is excited about the ceremony, Fear humorously acknowledged the physical challenge of carrying the flag. Standing at only five foot two inches, she joked about her upper body strength not being her forte. “I might have to visualize and hope for the best,” she added, expressing gratitude for the journey she shares with Gibson, stating, “It’s really beautiful that I am holding a flag representing skating here in Milan. It’s not just me; it’s something bigger than us.”
For fans eager to catch all the action, TNT Sports on discovery+ will be the exclusive destination in the UK for live coverage of Milano Cortina 2026, offering over 850 hours of sports programming. This exciting event will not only showcase the prowess of athletes like Fear but also serve as a unifying experience for sports fans around the globe, highlighting the pride and spirit of the Olympic Games.