2026 Winter Olympics: Lilah Fear and Brad Hall named Team GB flagbearers for opening ceremont

Fear said it was “bittersweet” to have the teams split up in different opening ceremonies but said it would represent the “unity” of Team GB across the villages.

Both are also in the unusual situation of competing in team events but carrying the flag on their own.

“It was received well by my team-mates, I think some of them knew I would be nominated,” said Hall.

“Lewis is so proud of me, I represent both of us,” added Fear. “And it is exciting to represent skating.”

Being the flagbearer represents a logistical issue for Fear, who will be competing on the morning of the ceremony in the opening day of the figure skating team event.

“It’s going to be a long day, no way around that,” she said. “We compete around 10am, then we will cheer on team-mates.

“Then I might have an hour to sort my hair and make-up out!”

Hall and Fear follow Muirhead and alpine skier Dave Ryding, who carried the flag at the opening ceremony of Beijing 2022, and both have asked Olympic medallist curler Muirhead for advice.

“I’m 5’2″ and not strong carrying things, I might have to visualise,” said Fear with a laugh. “I’m going to ask Eve functionally how to do it.”

Clothes manufacturer Ben Sherman will outfit the full Team GB delegation for both the opening and closing ceremonies, while the flagbearers will wear hand-knit scarves and winter hats created by five-time summer Olympic medallist Tom Daley, who carried the flag at the Paris 2024 opening ceremony.