Flag Bearer Bonus for Bobsleigh

Brad Hall says he sees his selection as flag bearer for Team GB at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games as another big positive for bobsleigh in this country.

Hall will carry the Union flag in Cortina this evening, with millions expected to watch on TV worldwide.

It’s been nearly 30 years since a British bobsledder did the same at a closing ceremony and nearly four decades since one carried the flag at an opening ceremony and Hall is delighted that he is helping raise the sport’s public profile outside of his medal winning exploits.

“I hope it puts bobsleigh on the map again. It’s been a long time since there’s been a bobsleigh flag bearer for Team GB at an opening or closing ceremony,” said Hall, who will pilot GB in the 2-man and 4-man competitions in Cortina, having done the same in both PyeongChang and Beijing.

The last bobsleigh flag bearer was Sean Olsson at the closing ceremony in 1998 and the last one at an opening ceremony was the late Nick Phips ten years before that, so the sport’s waited a long time.

“It feels like it’s come full circle, too: it’s been 70 years since the last Games in Cortina and a bobsledder (Stuart Parkinson) was the flag bearer for Team GB back then.”

Hall knows just how unique an opportunity this is and he admits he never even dreamed he would be in this position when he began his bobsleigh career 14 years ago.

He’s keen to stress that it shows what’s possible, though, and he’s convinced there’s no reason why an athlete who might not have even though about bobsleigh prior to these Olympics couldn’t be emulating his achievements at a future Games.

“It’s a massive honour and a privilege. There’s a lot of talented and inspirational athletes out here so to be chosen for this role is very special,” added Hall.

“Hopefully, I can go out there, wave the flag well and not fall on my face or embarrass myself!

“You see the flag bearer whenever you watch the Olympics and you always imagine it to be someone who’s very inspirational and at the top of their game. To be chosen to follow in the footsteps of some incredible athletes is like a dream, to be honest.

There’s no reason why someone who’s not yet involved in bobsleigh couldn’t be in my position doing this in a few years’ time. There are massive opportunities to get involved in our sport and they could lead you to places like this.

“I came in back in 2012 as a failed track and field athlete. I didn’t achieve a huge amount there but I found my niche here and I’m now at my third Olympic Games, I’ve won World and European Championship medals and I’ve done things that are beyond my wildest dreams. There’s no reason why people out there couldn’t do the same thing. All you’ve got to do, is give it a shot.”

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