Keystone
Marcel Hug and Elena Kratter carry the Swiss flag at the opening ceremony of the Paralympics in Paris.
It was a long-kept secret in the camp of the Swiss delegation at the Paralympics in Paris. But on Tuesday morning, Chef de Mission Peter Läuppi revealed it in the Maison Suisse on the grounds of the Swiss Embassy not far from the Seine and the imposing Hôtel des Invalides. Marcel Hug and Elena Kratter have been chosen from the 27-strong Swiss team to carry the Swiss flag during the opening ceremony.
This will be Hug’s sixth Paralympic Games in Paris, but it is still a first for the 38-year-old as flag bearer. “It’s a great honor for me to be able to lead the Swiss team together with Elena,” said the Thurgau wheelchair athlete, who will make his first appearance in the Stade de France on Friday in the 5000 m preliminary race.
“It’s very important for me to be able to attend the opening ceremony,” said Hug. “It’s like the starting signal for everything that will happen in the coming days.” For Hug, three distances on the track and the marathon are on the program in Paris. In 2016 at the Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, the four-time gold medal winner from Tokyo 2021 carried the Swiss flag at the closing ceremony.
It is also a privilege for Elena Kratter to hold up the Swiss cross at the parade on Wednesday evening. This will lead the athletes from the Champs-Elysées to the Place de la Concorde. “I’m looking forward to proudly representing our country on behalf of all athletes,” said the 28-year-old. Three years ago, she surprised everyone by winning bronze in the long jump. Kratter will also be competing in the long jump and 100 m sprint in Paris. Things get serious for the athlete from Schwyz from September 5.
SDA
