Korakaki and Petrounias to jointly lead historic Olympic Parade of Nations in Tokyo

Greek actress Xanthi Georgiou, centre, plays the role of the High Priestess, as she lights the torch of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, held by Greek shooting Olympic champion Anna Korakaki, left, the first torchbearer, during the flame lighting ceremony at the closed Ancient Olympia site last year. Photo: Yorgos Karahalis/AAP

1 July 2021 3:23pm

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For the first time in Olympic history a man and a woman will lead the Parade of Nations as part of the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Summer Olympics.

Traditionally Greece as the originator of the Olympics leads the nations and Olympic shooter Anna Korakaki and artistic gymnast Lefteris Petrounias will be the Greek teams flag bearers. Their joint role will reflect the International Olympic Committee’s call for gender equality at the games.

“The Hellenic Olympic Committee has given me a great honour and I want to thank it for choosing me. It will definitely be a unique feeling to hold the flag of your homeland at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in a historic moment, as I will do it together with Lefteris,” Ms Korakaki told Greek news agency AMNA.

Ms Korakaki won the gold medal for 25m pistol and the bronze for 10m air pistol at the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Mr Petrounias, who was the 2016 Olympic champion on the still rings, said being asked to hold the flag was a childhood dream.

“I also want to thank the Hellenic Olympic Committee and I’m sure that this moment will remain forever engraved in my mind and heart,” said the three time world champion.