Charron and De Grasse Named Canadian Flag Bearers for Paris Olympics

In an exciting announcement, Canadian athletes Maude Charron and Andre De Grasse have been named the flag bearers for the upcoming Olympics in Paris. The duo will lead the Canadian delegation during the opening ceremony, which will take place along the Seine River this Friday.

De Grasse expressed his joy, stating, “It’s a huge honor, I’m very happy. It’s a dream come true for me. I have never really been able to attend the opening ceremony, so to be part of it is incredible!”

Charron also shared her excitement, saying, “I had dreamed of this, but I never really thought it was possible. Being selected is surreal, and I feel so lucky to have this honor.” Both athletes are heading to Paris with a goal to reclaim their titles after winning gold at the Tokyo Games.

De Grasse sees this role as an opportunity to motivate himself for his third Olympic appearance. He stated, “I believe this will be the highlight of my Olympics, a great motivation as I return to compete.” De Grasse, who has become a prominent figure in athletics, is aiming to defend his title in the 200 meters while also competing in the 100 meters and the 4×100 meters relay.

Recently, De Grasse recorded a time under 20 seconds in the 200 meters, marking a significant achievement this season. Charron, who earned gold in the 64 kg category at her Olympic debut in Tokyo, is set to compete in the 59 kg category this time around after her previous category was removed from the program.

Despite some changes in her training and approach to the Olympics, she remains confident. “I have adjusted my mindset and my goals, and I know the recipe for success in my new weight class. I feel as strong as I did before, even having lost some weight,” she noted.

Charron feels privileged to share this honor with De Grasse. She reminisced about seeing him at the Olympics for the first time, calling him a role model. “It’s such an honor to do this together with him. I don’t feel like I’m on the same level as him, given his achievements,” she added.

This marks a new chapter as Charron and De Grasse succeed past flag bearers, Miranda Ayim and Nathan Hirayama, who represented Canada in Tokyo. The track events will commence on August 1, just two days before De Grasse competes in the 100 meters at the Stade de France, with Charron hitting the stage on August 8 at the Aréna Paris Sud.