Chichester's Brad Hall selected to lead Team GB at Opening Ceremony
Bobsleigh champion named flagbearer for his third Winter Olympics
Brad Hall from Chichester, Sussex, has been honored as one of Team GB’s flagbearers for the Opening Ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, marking his third appearance at the Winter Olympics.
The celebrated men’s bobsleigh pilot will carry the Union Flag during the athlete parade in Cortina, following in the footsteps of Stuart Parkinson, who performed the same role as a bobsleigh athlete in Cortina d’Ampezzo 70 years ago.
Hall, with 30 World Cup medals, has been chosen by Chef de Mission Eve Muirhead as the male flagbearer, recognizing his leadership and contributions to British bobsleigh and Team GB.
In Milan, Lilah Fear will share the honor by carrying the flag in the parade at San Siro stadium, becoming the first British ice dancer to do so since Christopher Dean in 1984.
Selected for her exemplary ambassadorship, Fear, along with ice dance partner Lewis Gibson, secured bronze at the 2025 World Championships, Britain's first global ice skating medal in over 30 years.
Both Hall and Fear aim to continue the legacy of Muirhead and alpine skier Dave Ryding, previous flagbearers at Beijing 2022, as they lead the delegation dressed in bespoke Ben Sherman attire designed in collaboration with Olympian Tom Daley.
Brad Hall expressed his excitement and privilege at being named flagbearer among a talented group of athletes.
“It's a great honor and a privilege to be named flagbearer, especially seeing the calibre of athlete we’ve got across the whole of the team,” Hall said.
“It really blindsided me… Finding out the news and feeling the honor and privilege of it all was a dream come true.”
He hopes to inspire fellow athletes, particularly first-time Olympians, through his own performance at the Games.
Lilah Fear shared her emotional reaction, expressing pride and connection to past and future Olympians.
“Carrying the flag connects us to all the flagbearers and athletes at previous Olympic Games, and to everyone dreaming of being at an Olympic Games in the future,” Fear said.
Eve Muirhead praised both Hall and Fear for their positive influence within Team GB, their athletic excellence, and their embodiment of the One Team culture.
“They are truly deserving of the opportunity to lead their teammates into the Opening Ceremony,” Muirhead said.