Reigning Olympic champion Benjamin Savsek has been announced as one of Slovenia’s flagbearers for the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Savsek will carry the Slovenian flag with Ana Gros, the captain of the country’s women’s handball team, in the parade of athletes on a boat on the River Seine tomorrow (July 26).
He will be one of four paddlers taking on the responsibility as a flagbearer with Australia’s Jessica Fox, Brazil’s Isaquias Guimaraes Queiroz and Spain’s Marcus Cooper doing the honour for their respective country.
Tomorrow’s Opening Ceremony will be the first in the history of the Summer Olympics to be staged outside a stadium.
Savsek and Gros will represent a 90-strong team of Slovenian sportsmen and women.
“Benjamin Savšek is an ideal example of a versatile athlete, as he represents a combination of sporting excellence and an exceptional person,” a statement from the Slovenian Olympic Committee read.
“His dedication to sports is visible at every step, and with his kindness, achievements and values, he has become a source of inspiration for many young sports talents over the years.”
Savsek will become a four-time Olympian in Paris having featured at London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.
The 37-year-old was crowned Olympic champion in Tokyo when he captured the men’s canoe single title.
He is also the reigning world champion following his success in the men’s C1 in London, Great Britain last year.
It was his third world title with his other victories coming in 2021 in the C1 and 2022 in the C1 team.
Savsek has won nine world medals overall as well as 13 European medals including eight golds.
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