M. Variakojytė and M. Vaičiulis are chosen to carry the Lithuanian flag at the upcoming Olympic closing ceremony, marking significant milestones in their respective sports careers.
M. Vaičiulis, a seasoned cross-country skier at 36 years old, has participated in the Winter Olympics in Vancouver (2010) and Pyeongchang (2018), and he has already served as a flag bearer during the closing ceremony at the Beijing Olympics in 2022. His extensive experience makes him an ideal choice to represent Lithuania at this prestigious event, reflecting the country's sporting spirit.
On the other hand, 18-year-old figure skater M. Variakojytė is set to make her Olympic debut in Milan, which is historic for Lithuania. This marks the first time a Lithuanian female figure skater has participated in an individual event at the Olympics, as previous representations were limited to ice dance pairs. Her participation not only signifies her personal achievement but also represents a breakthrough moment for Lithuania in figure skating.
The decision to have both athletes carry the national flag together highlights Lithuania's commitment to celebrating both tradition and new achievements in sports. The combination of a veteran like Vaičiulis and a newcomer like Variakojytė showcases a bridge between eras in Lithuanian athletics, promising a proud display of national pride during the closing ceremony.
