Legend Eliud Kipchoge named Olympic flag bearer for Milano Cortina 2026

Eliud Kipchoge’s journey with the Olympic movement is taking on a powerful new rhythm. The Kenyan marathon legend has been named one of the official Olympic flag bearers for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games, a rare honour reserved for global figures who embody the soul of Olympism.

As such he will carry the Olympic flag during the opening ceremony at the iconic San Siro Stadium in Milan this Friday, February 6, 2026. His selection by the International Olympic Committee and the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation places him among eight internationally respected personalities drawn from sport, advocacy and global leadership.

The group includes elite athletes such as Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade, Cameroonian boxer Cindy Ngamba and Tongan multi-sport icon Pita Taufatofua, alongside advocates and leaders including former Hiroshima mayor Tadatoshi Akiba, Italian activist Nicolò Govoni and former UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi.

 Together, they will lead a ceremony that celebrates unity, resilience and shared humanity.

For Kipchoge, this moment signals a graceful transition from competitor to global sports statesman. After his final Olympic race at Paris 2024, the honour crowns a 20-year career and aligns with his current role as Male Athletes’ Representative at the National Olympic Committee of Kenya.

The moment also elevates Kenya’s sporting story. For the first time, the country will field two athletes at the same Winter Olympics, alpine skiers Sabrina Simader and Issa Laborde. With Kipchoge leading the opening ceremony, Kenya’s presence stretches beyond track dominance into a growing winter sports narrative.