Marcel Hug and Elena Kratter will carry the Swiss flag at the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games in Paris on Wednesday. A great honour for both athletes.
It had long been a well-kept secret in the Swiss delegation camp. But on Tuesday morning, head of mission Peter Läuppi revealed it at the Maison Suisse, located on the grounds of the Swiss embassy, not far from the Seine and the imposing Hôtel des Invalides. Marcel Hug and Elena Kratter were chosen from among the 27 members of the Swiss team to carry the white cross flag at the opening ceremony.
“It’s a great honor”
This is the sixth time that Hug has taken part in the Paralympic Games, and yet it will be a first for the Thurgau native as flag bearer.It is a great honour for me to be able to lead the Swiss team with Elena” said the 38-year-old athlete, who will then make his first appearance at the Stade de France on Friday, in the preliminary round of the 5000m wheelchair race.
“It is very important for me to be able to attend the opening ceremony.“, said the Thurgau native. “It’s like the kickoff to everything that’s going to happen in the days to come.” Hug’s Paris schedule is packed with three track races, as well as the marathon. In 2016, at the Rio Paralympic Games, the four-time Tokyo 2021 gold medallist carried the Swiss flag at the closing ceremony.
For Elena Kratter too, it is a privilege to carry the Swiss flag. She will lead the athletes from the Champs-Elysées to the Concorde. Three years ago, the 28-year-old from Schwyz caused a surprise by winning bronze in the long jump. In Paris, Kratter will also compete in the long jump and the 100m.
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