Livigno, Italy – The 2026 Winter Olympics officially commenced Friday with a vibrant opening ceremony, marking the start of competition for 17 athletes representing New Zealand. Leading the Kiwi contingent into the arena were snowboarder Zoi Sadowski-Synnott and freeski athlete Ben Barclay, jointly selected as the nation’s flagbearers.
The Parade of Athletes, a traditional highlight of the opening ceremony, followed Olympic protocol, beginning with Greece and culminating with host nation Italy. While the main stage in Milan’s San Siro Stadium featured performances by global stars like Mariah Carey and Andrea Bocelli, the ceremony was simultaneously broadcast to venues across the region, including Livigno, Predazzo, and Cortina, ensuring participation from all athletes regardless of location.
Sadowski-Synnott, a three-time Olympic medalist and New Zealand’s first Winter Olympic gold medalist, and Barclay were formally announced as Ngā Pou Hāpai Tāne and Wahine – male and female flagbearers – during a team gathering at the New Zealand Lodge in Livigno on Thursday. The selection, made by Chef de Mission Marty Toomey, considered not only past athletic achievements but also leadership qualities, the ability to inspire teammates, and current competition preparedness.
“I feel very honoured to be selected as flagbearer, this is incredibly special,” Sadowski-Synnott stated. Her sentiments were echoed by Barclay, who expressed the significance of the honor. “To share this with Beano [Ben] who I’ve spent a lot of my career with, not only on my snowboard but off it too, is special. He’s just an all-round great human being and I’m proud to be sharing this moment with him,” Sadowski-Synnott added.
The selection of Sadowski-Synnott and Barclay reflects a deliberate choice by the New Zealand Olympic Committee to recognize athletes who embody the spirit of the team. Toomey emphasized that both athletes are “incredible human beings” who consistently demonstrate hard work, humility, and a supportive attitude towards their teammates. He specifically highlighted Barclay’s “resilience, commitment and genuine care for his teammates.”
Barclay described the emotional impact of receiving the kākahu (cloak) traditionally bestowed upon flagbearers. “When the kākahu was put on our shoulders it gave me a bit of a shiver, it’s an honour that not many people get to experience and to carry that forward throughout this Olympic experience will be incredible,” he said. The weight of the responsibility, and the tradition it represents, was clearly felt by both athletes.
Both Sadowski-Synnott and Barclay referenced past flagbearers who inspired them. Barclay recalled watching Beau-James Wells carry the flag and witnessing Finn Bilous and Alice Robinson receive the honor in Beijing, noting how those moments resonated with him. Sadowski-Synnott also remembered Wells’s presentation of the kākahu in PyeongChang as a particularly special occasion.
The opening ceremony marks the beginning of nearly three weeks of competition in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, with events spanning a wide range of winter sports. The New Zealand team will be looking to build on its previous Olympic successes, and the leadership of Sadowski-Synnott and Barclay will undoubtedly play a crucial role in fostering a positive and supportive team environment. The games run from to .
The New Zealand team’s participation in the opening ceremony signifies not only the start of athletic competition but also a celebration of national pride and international sportsmanship. As Sadowski-Synnott expressed, her hope is to lead the team “in a way that can make everyone proud,” a sentiment that encapsulates the aspirations of the entire New Zealand contingent at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
