ATHLETE SARAH LAVIN and golfer Shane Lowry have been named as Ireland’s Olympic flag-bearers for the opening ceremony.
The opening ceremony for the 2024 Olympics will be held in Paris this evening to mark the start of the Games.
Lavin and Lowry will lead the Irish representation as competitors parade down the river Seine in boats.
“It’s surreal to be honest,” said the 30-year-old Lavin, who like Lowry will become a two-time Olympian in Paris. “The greatest honour I’ve ever been given. To carry the country’s flag, it’s just something you can’t prepare for.
“I’m so grateful for those who’ve trusted me and put me in this position. It’s emotional as well.
“There’s no point lying about that because, you know, there’s a lot of people you’re representing and be on the biggest sporting stage.
“It’s a testament, I guess, to all the hard work and how much you’ve dug deep, not just in the last 12 months but the entire Olympic cycle and in your entire career.
“I’m deeply touched and just so excited to get out there.”
Former Open champion Lowry added: “It’s a huge honour for me and my family.
“Anybody who knows me knows how patriotic I am, how much I love Ireland, and how much I love playing for my country.
“I always wear the Irish flag with pride and to get to do something like this is something I’ll remember forever.”
Around 300,000 people are expected to turn out to watch the opening parade live travel down a six-kilometre stretch of the river Seine before disembarking at the Eiffel Tower.
Ireland will be on boat 28 this evening.
A record 133 athletes are to represent Ireland across 16 different sports over the course of the Games.
The Olympic journey for the Irish Rugby men’s 7s team has already started and ended after the side reached the quarter-finals but lost out to Fiji.
Written by Lauren Boland and posted on TheJournal.ie
