Team USA has its flag bearer for the Opening Ceremony in PyeongChang, and while it might not be a household name like Shaun White or Lindsey Vonn, she remains a part of American Olympic history.
Four-time Olympic luger Erin Hamlin, who became the first American to medal in singles luge in Olympic history in 2014, will carry the stars and stripes at PyeongChang Olympic Stadium. The team announced the decision Thursday morning in South Korea.
BREAKING: @erinhamlin selected as the #TeamUSA flag bearer for the 2018 #WinterOlympics Opening Ceremony! https://t.co/wdxRfMXdY7 pic.twitter.com/F7k4gSyOVY
— U.S. Olympic Team (@TeamUSA) February 8, 2018
Hamlin began her Olympic career at the 2006 Games in Turin and she has already announced she’ll hang up her sled after PyeongChang.
“Being named to an Olympic Team is an amazing accomplishment, and making four teams and winning the bronze medal is so much more than I could I have imagined I would accomplish. Now being voted flag bearer is a whole new level,” Hamlin said in a release from Team USA. “Working hard and earning success is one thing, being acknowledged as a great representative and member of Team USA by fellow athletes – many who I have been inspired by – is above and beyond anything I’ve experienced.”
Hamlin is also the fourth luger to receive the honor. Her coach, 2002 Olympic silver medalist Mark Grimmette, also carried the flag during his last Olympics in 2010.
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