19-year-old gymnast Simone Biles, who won five medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics, will serve as the flag bearer at Sunday’s Closing Ceremony.
“I’m very excited, and I can’t wait for my team to be with me,” Biles said after receiving the honor on Saturday.
Competing at her first Olympic Games in Rio, Biles won gold medals in team, all-around, vault and floor exercise. A stumble during her balance beam performance denied her a fifth gold in that category, though she still managed to clinch bronze. Only three other gymnasts have won four gold medals in a single Games, most recently Ekaterina Szabo in 1984.
Even before her performance at Rio, Biles was widely recognized as one of the world’s best gymnasts, having won 10 World Championships titles since 2013.
Only one other gymnast has served as an Olympic flag bearer: Alfred Jochim, who did so at Opening Ceremonies of the Berlin 1936 Games.
Biles’ sole concern?
“I’m afraid the flag is going to be too heavy for me,” Biles, who stands 4’8”, said.