The Olympic Federation of Ireland has confirmed cross-country skier Thomas Maloney Westgård and alpine skier Anabelle Zurbay as the Allianz Flag Bearers for Team Ireland at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
In line with the International Olympic Committee’s ongoing commitment to gender equality, the appointment sees one male and one female athlete share the honour, reflecting both experience and emerging talent within a compact Irish squad putting the final touches to their preparation for the games in Northern Italy this week.
Milano Cortina 2026 will feature a reimagined Opening Ceremony format, with celebrations staged across the four Olympic clusters rather than a single parade of nations. Events will take place in Cortina, Livigno and Predazzo, alongside a main ceremony at the San Siro Olympic Stadium in Milan. Organisers have confirmed a high-profile cultural programme in Milan, including performances from Mariah Carey, Laura Pausini and renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli.
The cluster-based approach is designed to reduce travel demands on athletes during a critical performance window while still allowing them to participate in one of the defining traditions of the Olympic Games.
Born to a Galway mother and based in Norway, Maloney Westgård will carry the Irish flag at the Predazzo cluster. The 28-year-old is set to become a three-time Olympian, competing in cross-country skiing for the third consecutive Games.
Zurbay, who turned 17 late last year and whose family connections are from Rosemount in Westmeath, will assume flag-bearing duties at the Cortina cluster, marking another milestone in a rapidly progressing career.
The other two athletes, Ben Lynch and Cormac Comerford, will both take part in the athlete parade at the Livigno cluster, completing Team Ireland’s representation at the Opening Ceremony.
“To be named an Allianz Flagbearer for Team Ireland is a huge honour,” said Maloney Westgård. “The Olympics are the pinnacle of sport, and to carry the Irish flag alongside Anabelle is something I’m incredibly proud of and know I will cherish for the rest of my life. I hope we can inspire people back home and show what is possible for Irish athletes, and winter Olympic hopefuls, on the world stage.”
“It was a big surprise to be asked to carry the flag for Ireland, with Thomas,” added Zurbay. “It’s so exciting to be competing in my first Olympic Games, and to start that experience with such a big opportunity is really special.”
Team Ireland Chef de Mission Nancy Chillingworth said the pair reflected the breadth of the squad. “Thomas and Anabelle perfectly represent what Team Ireland stands for – excellence, ambition and balance,” she said. “From the youngest to the most experienced athlete on the team, they embody the progress of Irish winter sport and the values of the Olympic Movement.”
Phillip Gronemeyer, CEO of Allianz Ireland, added that the partnership with Team Ireland continued to highlight stories of perseverance and ambition. “Allianz is immensely proud to support Team Ireland and to celebrate Thomas Maloney Westgård and Anabelle Zurbay as Allianz Flagbearers,” he said.
Team Ireland will compete in alpine skiing, freestyle skiing and cross-country skiing at Milano Cortina 2026. The four-athlete squad includes three first-time Olympians and one returning athlete, underlining the continued development and depth of Irish winter sport ahead of the Games.
Join us each day from now through to the end of the Games for Sport for Business at the Winter Olympics, in partnership with Allianz, for a different perspective on what is happening and why it matters.
Image Credit: Team Ireland and David Fitzgerald, Sportsfile
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