Team USA has officially announced its flag-bearers for the closing ceremony of the Winter Olympics, with ice dancer Evan Bates and hockey captain Hilary Knight receiving the esteemed honor. Bates learned of his selection in a heartwarming moment orchestrated by his wife and ice dance partner, Madison Chock.
During a speech to her teammates, Chock surprised Bates by revealing his role as flag bearer, saying, “It’s my great honor to share this experience with you.” The announcement was met with enthusiastic cheers from their fellow Team USA members, and the couple celebrated with a heartfelt embrace and kiss.
This uplifting news comes just days after the duo faced disappointment, having finished with a silver medal in the ice dancing competition marred by a judging controversy. Reflecting on the emotional rollercoaster, Chock expressed a mix of feelings but ultimately greater pride and gratitude for their journey. “It’s been a long journey,” she shared, while acknowledging the challenges they faced.
Bates echoed her sentiment, believing they delivered a “winning performance,” despite finishing behind France’s Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron by a narrow margin of 1.43 points.
Similarly, hockey captain Hilary Knight learned of her selection as flag bearer shortly after Team USA triumphed against Canada to claim the gold medal. Surrounded by her teammates, Knight called the honor a “dream come true.” Notably, this Olympics has also been a special one for Knight as she became engaged to fellow Olympian and speed skater Brittany Bowe.
As the excitement builds for the Winter Olympics closing ceremony, these announcements not only celebrate the individual achievements of Bates and Knight but also highlight the resilience and spirit of Team USA athletes. The Milan Cortina Olympics and Paralympics are set to commence on February 6, 2026, promising to showcase more inspiring moments on the world stage.