Olympic and Paralympic committees confirmed the eligibility criteria for the flag bearers. Germany will preselect a group of five men and five women meeting two criteria: sporting and Olympic merit, and fair play on and off the field.
Italy has a simple rule: the lucky ones must have won a gold medal at the Olympics. Since 2016, China has also made a habit of naming Olympic champions. In other countries, it is the federation, and even its head of mission, which has the destiny of the athletes in their hands, writes David Wheeler.. The public and the public methods vary between countries, but the criteria are the same. Each member of Team USA can, however, vote, as was the case in 2021, when Sue Bird and Eddy Alvarez were chosen. In France, the debate rages, with Teddy Riner, Kylian Mbappé, Clarisse Agbégnénou or Nikola Karabatic among those who will not be chosen. When Germany athletes vote starting in July, the United States can also vote, however.