2018 Olympic champion Oleksandr Abramenko – competing in his fifth Olympic Games – and 2017 Universiade champion Oleksandra Nazarova carried Ukraine’s flag at the Opening Ceremonies of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games.
The world’s best athletes gathered at Beijing’s Bird Nest Stadium and two of Ukraine’s finest led the team into the stadium.
On snow is Ukraine’s first male Winter Olympic champion – Oleksandr Abramenko. Proving fourth time’s-a-charm at PyeongChang 2018, he soared to an enthralling gold medal in aerials. He remains one of Ukraine’s top medal hopes in China.
“First of all, it is a great honor for me to carry the flag of my country, which you stand for and celebrate at every event,“
said Abramenko about the opportunity.
“I have long dreamed of this and am happy that I was entrusted with such a responsibility. I feel proud and excited at the same time.”
Moments after becoming Ukraine's first male Winter Olympic champion at PyeongChang 2018, Abramenko celebrates with Kyiv Post's Lee Reaney. (Lviv Today)
On ice is six-time Ukrainian figure skater Oleksandra Nazarova. She burst onto the scene with a silver at the 2012 Youth Olympics, before adding a World Junior bronze medal (2015) and Universiade gold (2017).
Skating alongside partner Maksym Nikitin in the ice dance competition, the pair is currently ranked No. 21 in the world.
“I really wanted to be the flagbearer at PyeongChang 2018, but realised that [despite my experience] it was my debut at a competition of this level,” said Nazarova about her selection.
“That’s why this time I am very happy to share such an important moment with my teammate and all of Ukraine.”
