The flag bearers of the countries participating in the Olympic Games have a special honor. They represent their country at the opening ceremony and at the closing ceremony by carrying the respective flag. The flag bearers were either chosen by their respective National Olympic Committee or by the athletes themselves. For two countries, a golfer was chosen: Fabrizio Zanotti and Ines Laklalech. The 41-year-old has been a professional golfer for over 20 years and will carry the Paraguayan flag alongside rower Alejandra Alonso. Ines Laklalech will be the flag bearer for Morocco together with rider Yessin Rahmouni. Laklalech plays on the Ladies European Tour and won the Ladies Open de France in 2022.
Key Role for Fabrizio Zanotti at the 2024 Olympics
The selected athletes will have the honour of presenting their country’s flag twice in front of the whole world. Firstly at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games on 26 July 2024 and a second time at the closing ceremony on 11 August 2024. For the first time, there will not be the usual march of the nations into a stadium. The opening ceremony will take place in the centre of Paris and on the Seine with a finale at the Eiffel Tower.
Fabrizio Zanotti is the only golfer from Paraguay to take part in the 2024 Olympic Games. With his participation in 2016 and 2021, he already brings double the experience to the competition. He has also competed in several national and continental championships, has major experience and has won several times on the DP World Tour. He celebrated one of his two victories on the tour in Munich at the BMW International Open.
Ines Laklalech became pro in 2021 after earning her tour card for the LET via the LET Q-School. In her rookie season, she achieved four top 10 finishes before winning in France. This made her the first golfer not only from Morocco but from North America to win on the LET.