Cross-country skiier Thomas Maloney Westgaard has been named as the flagbearer for Team Ireland in the closing ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games in Beijing.
Participating in his second Winter Olympic Games, Maloney Westgaard placed a highly impressive 14th in the Cross-Country 15km Classic and 29th in the 50k mass start.
Born in Norway, Maloney Westgaard holds dual Norwegian-Irish citizenship through his Irish mother and began competing for Ireland at the 2016 World Cup.
Reacting to the news, Maloney Westgaard said it would be an emotional day.
"Wow, first of all it's a massive feeling. It hasn’t really sunk in yet, but I know that going out to the Bird’s Nest, there will be a lot of emotions.
"Everyone has been so supportive during these Games. We might be one of the smallest teams, but we are one of the best in terms of spirit and supporting each other."
"Wow, first of all it's a massive feeling. It hasn’t really sunk in yet, but I know that going out to the Bird’s Nest, there will be a lot of emotions.
— Team Ireland (@TeamIreland) February 20, 2022
Thomas Maloney Westgaard has been named as the flagbearer for #TeamIreland in the Closing Ceremony of #Beijing2022 at noon 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/X11mvHcQgB
Team Ireland Chef de Mission for Beijing Nancy Chillingworth said it was appropriate that Maloney Westgaard was given the honour.
"It is a very fitting appointment, Thomas has been so integral to this time. The fact it’s his second games, the improvement he has made as an athlete over the course of this cycle to be really standing up with the big nations, for him to carry the flag and properly celebrate his achievements is very justly deserved."
