Bowe replaces positive Meyers as American flag bearer

American speed skater Brittany Bowe takes over from Elana Meyers Taylor at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Beijing on Friday. That 37-year-old bobsledder tested positive for the corona virus at the beginning of this week. Meyers received the most votes in the election among Team USA athletes, but because the multiple world champion is in isolation for the time being, she has to skip the opening ceremony.

Bowe, who finished second in the election, has now been given the honorable task of carrying the American flag into Beijing’s Bird’s Nest Stadium. She does this together with 39-year-old John Shuster, who won gold four years ago at his fourth Games with the American curling team. Bowe (33) is participating in the Winter Games for the third time. At Pyeongchang 2018, she took bronze with the pursuit squad. The American is the holder of the world record in the 1000 meters.

Speed ​​skater Kjeld Nuis and figure skater Lindsay van Zundert carry the Dutch flag at the opening ceremony on Friday.