Scott and Woods Carry Australian Flag at Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games Closing Ceremony

Australia had its best-ever Winter Games at Milano Cortina 2026, with Danielle Scott and Cooper Woods chosen as flag bearers for the closing ceremony.
By Newsroom | Sports, Olympics |

The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games are drawing to a close, marked by a significant achievement for Australia's team. In recognition of their historic performance, Danielle Scott and Cooper Woods have been chosen to carry the Australian flag at the closing ceremony. This honor follows a Games where Australia achieved its most successful Winter Olympic outing to date.

Scott and Woods named closing ceremony flag-bearers after record-breaking Games - 1

A Historic Performance Sets the Stage

Australia's contingent at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics has concluded its participation with unprecedented success. The nation's athletes delivered a series of standout performances, culminating in what has been described as their best-ever Winter Olympic showing. This record-breaking achievement has led to the selection of two prominent athletes to represent the team at the final ceremony.

Scott and Woods named closing ceremony flag-bearers after record-breaking Games - 2

  • Record-Breaking Games: Australia secured its highest number of medals and top finishes at these Winter Olympics.

  • Key Performers: Danielle Scott earned a silver medal in women's aerials, her fourth Olympic appearance. Cooper Woods achieved gold in the men's moguls, marking Australia's first medal of the Games and a significant personal triumph, as he had not previously won a World Cup or Olympic medal.

Honored for Achievement and Authenticity

The decision to appoint Scott and Woods as flag bearers was announced by Australian Chef de Mission Alisa Camplin. Her comments highlight the significance of their achievements not only in terms of medals but also as representatives of the Australian spirit.

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"They were fully themselves, they can show Australia that they can be authentic to who they are and be champions,” Camplin said.

This statement suggests that the selection considered the athletes' ability to inspire and embody Australian values, in addition to their athletic prowess. For Woods, the opportunity to lead the team is particularly poignant, representing a dream realized after an unexpected victory. Scott also expressed her deep gratitude, viewing the flag bearer role as the culmination of her Olympic journey.

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"To be able to contribute to that too, my dreams are coming true and these Games are even more special now being named the flag bearer,” Scott said.

Broader Context of Flag Bearer Selections

The selection of flag bearers for Olympic closing ceremonies is a common practice, honoring athletes who have distinguished themselves during the Games. While specific details for every nation at Milano Cortina 2026 were not fully available in the provided data, the general principle involves recognizing athletic merit and national representation. Past Games, such as Paris 2024, also featured extensive lists of flag bearers for participating nations.

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  • Milano Cortina 2026: Danielle Scott (Australia, silver medalist, women's aerials) and Cooper Woods (Australia, gold medalist, men's moguls) were named.

  • Paris 2024: Lists of flag bearers for various nations were compiled for the previous Summer Olympics.

  • Historical Precedent: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has a long-standing tradition of announcing flag bearers for closing ceremonies, as seen in records from Athens 2004.

Conclusion

The selection of Danielle Scott and Cooper Woods as Australia's flag bearers for the Milano Cortina 2026 closing ceremony underscores the nation's most successful Winter Olympic campaign. Their individual achievements in aerials and moguls, respectively, have been recognized not only with medals but also with the honor of leading the team. This decision reflects a dual emphasis on athletic excellence and the embodiment of a champion's spirit, providing a fitting conclusion to a historic Games for Australia.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who will carry the Australian flag at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games closing ceremony?
Danielle Scott and Cooper Woods have been chosen to carry the Australian flag. This is in honor of Australia's most successful Winter Olympic Games ever.
Q: Why were Danielle Scott and Cooper Woods chosen as flag bearers for the closing ceremony?
They were chosen because they performed very well and showed what it means to be an Australian champion. Cooper Woods won gold in men's moguls, and Danielle Scott won silver in women's aerials.
Q: What is special about Australia's performance at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games?
This year's Games were Australia's best ever at the Winter Olympics. The athletes won more medals and had better results than in any previous Winter Games.
Q: What did Cooper Woods achieve at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games?
Cooper Woods won the gold medal in the men's moguls. This was Australia's first medal of the Games and a huge personal achievement for him.
Q: What did Danielle Scott achieve at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games?
Danielle Scott won the silver medal in the women's aerials. This was her fourth time competing in the Olympics.