Decision is imminent
Flag bearer at the Olympics? For her it would be an “amazing honor”
02/03/2026 – 5:55 p.mReading time: 1 min.
Ski jumper Katharina Schmid is about to play her last Olympic Games and could take on a special role. A decision will be made in the coming days.
Katharina Schmid is one of three athletes nominated for the position of German flag bearer at the opening ceremony. The seven-time world champion describes the possible role as German flag bearer at the Olympic Games that begin on Friday as an “amazing honor.” The 29-year-old, who will end her career after the season, has been nominated for this position by the German Olympic Sports Confederation alongside Ramona Hofmeister and Laura Nolte.
“I think you really only get a chance like this once in your life,” said Schmid in a media roundtable the day before departure to Italy. “It would be something very special for me, especially at my last Olympic Games. That would be very cool.”
The public vote on the standard bearers ends on Tuesday. On Thursday, the DOSB wants to announce who will represent Germany at the opening ceremony. The men’s choices include ice hockey star Leon Draisaitl, combiner Johannes Rydzek and luger Tobias Wendl.
It will be Schmid’s fourth Olympic Games. The ski jumper won Olympic silver on the normal hill in 2018 and 2022. She doesn’t want to feel any sadness before her Olympic farewell. “It’s actually just anticipation,” she said. “I’ve decided that I’m ready for the last big times. I’m just really looking forward to everything that’s coming and everything that I can take with me now.”
