They will be Swedish flag bearers: "Incredibly proud"

The rider Peder Fredricson and the sailor Josefin Olsson will be Sweden's flag bearers at the OS opening ceremony in Paris. I am incredibly proud and honored. The OS has always been a very great inspiration for me, says Fredricson.

» Updated:

» Published:

They will be Swedish flag bearers: "Incredibly proud"
Photo: Pontus Lundahl/TT

Share this article

Rider Peder Fredricson and sailor Josefin Olsson will be Sweden's flag bearers at the OS opening ceremony in Paris.

I'm incredibly proud and honored. The OS has always been a huge inspiration for me, says Fredricson.

It's two experienced and successful athletes who will lead Sweden into the OS in Paris.

This time on the Seine River in central Paris, in what is described in advance as the most spectacular OS opening ceremony of all time.

Fredricson is competing in his fifth OS and led Sweden to gold in the team event in Tokyo 2021. He also has individual silver from both Tokyo and Rio 2016.

"Pretty shocked"

Olsson is competing in her fourth OS and took silver in Tokyo 2021.

I was pretty shocked and very surprised. I had speculated a bit about who might become flag bearers and didn't think of myself there. It's a great honor, says Olsson, who competes in Ilca6 (formerly laser radial).

Even Fredricson says he was surprised when the question came from the Swedish team leader Peter Reinebo.

I thought if you had done something stupid, you would be reprimanded for it, he jokes.

The opening ceremony in Paris has received a lot of attention.

First and foremost because it's the first opening ceremony that doesn't take place in an arena. It will instead take place on the Seine River, where thousands of Olympians will travel six kilometers by boat.

The organizers have claimed that the opening ceremony will be the largest ever, and that around 300,000 spectators will be able to follow the opening ceremony live.

Gigantic security

There have also been some question marks around security during the opening ceremony. But after all, it will be held on the Seine, and around 45,000 police will be present.

Peder Fredricson still feels pretty safe.

It's not entirely safe in the world right now, but the security measures are hopefully stable, he says.

Reinebo is also comfortable with the organizers' security work.

We've had a number of security reviews, the latest the other day. I must say I'm very impressed by what they describe and what they do. We're very safe, the security effort is gigantic, he says.

There will be a smaller Swedish participation at the opening ceremony.

It will be a pretty small team since many are competing on Saturday and Sunday, I can't say exactly how many it will be, says Reinebo.

Many stars will be flag bearers, and perhaps the most spectacular name is American basketball star Lebron James.

Really cool. I'll try to get as close to him as possible, says Fredricson.

The opening ceremony starts at 19.30 on Friday.

2014 (Sochi): Anders Södergren, cross-country skiing.

2016 (Rio de Janeiro): Therese Alshammar, swimming.

2018 (Pyeongchang): Niklas Edin, curling.

2021 (Tokyo): Max Salminen, sailing, and Sara Algotsson Ostholt, equestrian.

2022 (Beijing): Emma Nordin, ice hockey, and Oliwer Magnusson, freestyle skiing.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Luleå Dominates SHL Opener with Record Goal and Eriksson Hat-Trick

Luleå Dominates SHL Opener with Record Goal and Eriksson Hat-Trick

Swedish Talent Lucas Bergvall Shines with Goal and Assist in Premier League

Swedish Talent Lucas Bergvall Shines with Goal and Assist in Premier League

Norén Leads at PGA Championship as Åberg Slips to Sixth

Norén Leads at PGA Championship as Åberg Slips to Sixth

Nicklas Bäckström Reflects on Brynäs Return Despite 4-7 Loss to Växjö

Nicklas Bäckström Reflects on Brynäs Return Despite 4-7 Loss to Växjö

Gudmundsson's Last-Minute Own Goal Costs Leeds Against Fulham

Gudmundsson's Last-Minute Own Goal Costs Leeds Against Fulham

Örebro Ends 314-Day Winless Streak with Victory Over Östersund

Örebro Ends 314-Day Winless Streak with Victory Over Östersund

Djurgården's Quick Goals Secure SHL Comeback Win Over Skellefteå

Djurgården's Quick Goals Secure SHL Comeback Win Over Skellefteå

New Frölunda Coach Robert Ohlsson Wins Debut Against Linköping 2-1

New Frölunda Coach Robert Ohlsson Wins Debut Against Linköping 2-1

Nicklas Bäckström's Disappointing SHL Return: Brynäs Falls to Växjö

Nicklas Bäckström's Disappointing SHL Return: Brynäs Falls to Växjö

Mjällby Extends Lead Over Hammarby in Allsvenskan Title Race

Mjällby Extends Lead Over Hammarby in Allsvenskan Title Race

Cycling Drama at Vuelta as Protesters Disrupt Mountain Stage

Cycling Drama at Vuelta as Protesters Disrupt Mountain Stage

Hammarby's Smilla Holmberg Shines in 3-0 Victory Over Linköping

Hammarby's Smilla Holmberg Shines in 3-0 Victory Over Linköping

Belgium Nears Upset Against Australia in Davis Cup Tennis

Belgium Nears Upset Against Australia in Davis Cup Tennis

Jenny Rissveds Wins First World Championship Gold in Mountain Biking

Jenny Rissveds Wins First World Championship Gold in Mountain Biking

Sweden Triumphs in Davis Cup as Leo Borg Secures Decisive Win

Sweden Triumphs in Davis Cup as Leo Borg Secures Decisive Win

Nicklas Bäckström's SHL Return: A Historic Moment for Brynäs Fans

Nicklas Bäckström's SHL Return: A Historic Moment for Brynäs Fans

Swede Wictor Petersson Misses Top 10 in World Championship Shot Put Final

Swede Wictor Petersson Misses Top 10 in World Championship Shot Put Final

Armand Duplantis Prepares for World Championship Final in Tokyo

Armand Duplantis Prepares for World Championship Final in Tokyo

Gyökeres Shines as Arsenal Defeats Nottingham Forest 3-0

Gyökeres Shines as Arsenal Defeats Nottingham Forest 3-0

Henrik Larsson Reflects on Early Exit at World Championship 100m Trials

Henrik Larsson Reflects on Early Exit at World Championship 100m Trials