Lexie Madigan and Reannyn Weiler were selected as the flag bearers for the Opening Ceremony of the Youth Olympic Games Lausanne 2020.
LAUSANNE, Switzerland – Biathlon athlete Lexie Madigan (Sun Valley, Idaho) and luge athlete Reannyn Weiler (Whitesboro, New York) were selected as Team USA’s flag bearers for the two opening ceremonies of the Winter Youth Olympic Games Lausanne 2020, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee announced today. The Winter Youth Olympic Games will take place in Lausanne and St. Moritz, Switzerland, where each city will hold an Opening Ceremony on Jan. 9 to kick off the event, which runs through Jan. 22.
Serving as flag bearer in Lausanne, Madigan was nominated to compete for Team USA at the Winter Youth Olympic Games as the junior biathlete with the most domestic and international biathlon race experience. She started competitive cross-country skiing and biathlon in seventh grade, and quickly found success and qualified for junior national championships in eighth grade. Since she turned 16, Madigan has represented Team USA on multiple junior world championships teams.
“To represent the entire U.S. delegation is amazing,” Madigan said. “I’m in disbelief. To even be in the running for flag bearer was amazing. This is the biggest honor that could ever come out of the Winter Youth Olympic Games.”
Serving as flag bearer in St. Moritz is Weiler. Weiler will be part of the historic debut of women’s doubles luge alongside teammate Maya Chan. The 17-year-old is in her third year competing in luge and medaled in last year’s test event in St. Moritz.
“It’s nice to know my teammates voted for me and that they thought I would be a good choice,” Weiler said. “When you have other sports choosing, it’s nice to know that we’re recognized throughout the U.S. delegation.”
The Youth Olympic Games are an international multisport event held every two years, consistent with the current format of the Olympic Games. The Winter Youth Olympic Games are the second-largest multisport winter event, second only to the Olympic Winter Games. A hallmark of the event is a unique culture and education program – Learn & Share – that is designed to equip athletes with the skills they need to succeed in sports and in their daily lives.
The 13-day competition for athletes between the ages of 15 and 18 will feature eight sports, 16 sport disciplines and 81 medal events – including several new to an Olympic program. Team USA’s athletes will compete among 1,880 competitors from more than 70 nations.
For more information of Team USA at the Winter Youth Olympic Games Lausanne 2020, visit TeamUSA.org/Lausanne2020.
U.S. Youth Olympic Team Flag Bearers
2010 Hannah Carson, track and field (opening)
2012 Jake Peterson, bobsled (opening); Julia Mueller-Ristine, alpine skiing (closing)
2014 Kendall Yount, taekwondo (opening); Richelle Stephens, rugby (closing)
2016 Chloe Kim, snowboarding (opening); Kalyn McGuire, skeleton (closing)
2018 Alex Cleary, rugby (opening); Grace Stark, track and field (closing)
2020 Lexie Madigan, biathlon and Reannyn Weiler, luge (opening)