By Ntokozo Magongo
MBABANE – The country’s three athletes for the Paris 2024 Olympics Games will enjoy the privilege of being flag bearers.
The duo of swimmers Hayley Hoy and Chadd Ning will be the flag bearers in the opening ceremony on Friday (July 26, 2024) while athlete Sibusiso ‘Swazi Bolt’ Matsenjwa will take the reigns during the closing event set for August 11 in Paris France.
During each Olympics opening ceremony, each country’s team is led into the event space by an athlete or delegation representative bearing his or her country’s flag. The flag bearer carries the national flag and leads the team to the arena.
Eswatini Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (EOCGA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Maxwell Jele confirmed on Tuesday that all the three athletes will get the opportunity of carrying the country flag and lead the team.
The team will leave the country on Wednesday (July 24, 2024) for Paris where they are expected to arrive on Thursday, a day before the opening ceremony.
The team was bid farewell on Friday by the Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Bongani Nzima accompanied by the Principal Secretary Prince Mlayeto, Director of Sports Lucky Sihlongonyane, EOCGA Board Chaired by Adam Bomber Mthethwa and the Sports Portfolio Committee at Sibane Sami Hotel.
Matsenjwa will compete in the 100m with Hayley Hoy in the 100m butterfly while Chadd Ning is set for the 100m breaststroke.
