Lead your own nation at the Olympics once in your life as a standard bearer. It is arguably the greatest honor that can be bestowed on an athlete during their career. Roger Federer was able to experience this privilege twice – once in Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.
Stan Wawrinka, who won gold doubles with Federer in China, headed the Swiss delegation in London in 2012. The two tennis stars had to give forfait for Rio 2016 – as they do now for Tokyo 2020. The weighty absences at Swiss Olympic now lead to the big question of who should hold the Swiss flag high at the opening ceremony.
Steingruber breaks male dominance
In Brazil, thanks to the new head of the delegation, Ralph Stöckli, Giulia Steingruber broke the dominance of men. 24 years after Vreni Schneider at the Winter Games in Albertville, the gymnast in Swiss history was the first woman ever to march away as an athlete at the summer games.
Although Steingruber was quite annoyed by the procedure with the flag, which lasted several hours, a few days later she won the bronze medal on vault. It is questionable whether she will take on this weighty task again this year with her damaged thigh. She definitely deserved it as the current European champion.
Schurter and Spirig in the shop window
Because precious metal in the Palmares plays an important role in the considerations for the selection of the flag bearer at Swiss Olympic. Olympic champion Nino Schurter could also play again. The multiple mountain bike world champion was in Rio for the closing ceremony of the apostles of the Swiss selection.
Nicola Spirig was also the final runner – with gold around her neck, she was the perfect face for Switzerland in London. As a mother of three, the 39-year-old triathlete is now competing for the fifth time at the Olympics and has a good chance of being the big figure at the opening ceremony in Tokyo.
Kambundji in an exclusive circle
Mujinga Kambundji is also at the forefront. It would be a first for the fastest woman in Switzerland. Two years after taking bronze at the World Cup over the 200 meters, the 29-year-old from Bern is one of the favorites after her broken foot in January and her comeback in spring.
Especially since, according to Swiss Olympic, serious consideration is being given to nominating two athletes this time. One shouldn’t forget Heidi Diethelm-Gerber either. The bronze shooter from Rio is also targeting Tokyo this year. As a standard bearer, she would of course be typically Swiss.