After two days of heated, war-like debate on Greek social media, the Hellenic Olympic Committee announced on Tuesday evening that Giannis Antetokounmpo and Antigoni Drisbilioti would carry the Greek flag at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games along the Seine.
But first, let’s establish some facts:
1. The significance of our flag bearers extends beyond Greece’s borders. Due to our country’s deep connection to the Olympic tradition, the Greek team traditionally leads the Parade of Nations in the Olympic stadium. In this case, they will be the first boat on the Seine. Our two flag bearers will be the first to enter among the approximately 10,600 athletes competing, with all eyes focused on them.
“Why two?” my 92-year-old or 23-Olympic-Games-old grandmother asked with genuine curiosity
2. “Why two?” my 92-year-old or 23-Olympic-Games-old grandmother asked with genuine curiosity. Grandma, the IOC now recommends (but does not require) that countries have one male and one female flag bearer for reasons of gender equality. And most countries follow this recommendation.
3. The informal protocol (globally) dictates that the flag is carried by athletes who have achieved notable success in previous Games. Douskos was the first torchbearer, Petrounias, Korakaki, and Fountoulis (from the national water polo team) carried the flag in Tokyo, and Tentoglou and Stefanidi politely declined. So what’s the situation now, folks?
In both cases, after exhausting all other options, the Hellenic Olympic Committee had to move out of protocol out of necessity.
This is a missed opportunity for sports and athletes who lack the visibility of basketball and Antetokounmpo.
The decision to select Antetokounmpo as the male flag bearer was unanimous. While choosing the NBA star may bring prestige to our country due to his global recognition, and it certainly carries additional symbolic value, I believe it is not the right choice. It represents a missed opportunity for sports and athletes who lack the visibility of basketball and Antetokounmpo.
In a bid to stay relevant, the Olympic Games are increasingly aligning with global market trends, and stars have become integral to the sports market. Marketability is now a crucial factor alongside athletic ability, and Greece is not alone in this approach. For instance, Japan, a major player on the global stage, selected b-boy Shigekix, also known as Shigeyuki Nakarai, as their male flag bearer. Shigekix, who will compete in breaking—a new addition to the Olympics—was chosen over gold Olympic champions like Daiki Hashimoto (gymnastics) and Hifumi Abe (judo).
Regarding the symbolism of the choice, I am also eager to see how the racists everywhere will react to the image of him holding the Greek flag.
Antetokounmpo doesn’t need the honor of carrying the flag; rather, the flag needs his global fame more. He excels in basketball, a “professional” sport whose pantheon revolves around the U.S. National League (NBA), where the big money is. Although the basketball world generally pays little attention to the Olympics, Giannis has repeatedly spoken with admiration about them.
Regarding the symbolism of the choice, I am also eager to see how racists everywhere will react to the image of him holding the Greek flag. However, even for this purpose, there was a choice closer to the protocol in Emmanouil Karalis, who was 4th in Tokyo and is competing for a medal in pole vaulting in Paris.
The Olympics are defined by inspiring stories, and beyond her remarkable achievements, Drisbilioti has a truly inspiring one to share.
Drisbilioti’s selection as the female flag bearer is a refreshing choice. The sport of athletics, the true king of the Olympics, returns to the role of flag bearer for the opening ceremony for the first time since 1992 when Lambros Papakostas held the honor.
This is a refreshing choice, especially since the Olympic Games are about inspiring stories, and Antigoni Drisbilioti’s narrative is nothing short of remarkable. Her journey to an Olympic sport’s global elite is compelling and instructive. From late-night training sessions following shifts at her family’s mezze restaurant in Karditsa to achieving 8th place in Tokyo, winning two European gold medals in 2022, and claiming a world bronze in 2023, her story embodies dedication, resilience, and the transformative power of perseverance.
Before you kick back on the couch this summer and watch the Olympics on ERT, take a moment to Google our homegrown heroes.
The Greek Olympic team of 101 has many untold stories from athletes who are unsung heroes in less prominent sports. So before you settle on the couch this summer with the air conditioning set to 16 and tune in to the Olympics on ERT, take a moment to Google our homegrown stars.
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