On the 26th of July 2024, it will be the moment many have been waiting for, the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. On this 33rd edition, the ceremony will be like no other, the largest in Olympic history. The “City of Lights” will deliver a spectacle to the world as they look on, but on the spot will be 300,000 along the banks of the Seine River. There will also be 80 giant screens along the waterway. The parade length is 3.7 miles long (six kilometres) and is expected to last nearly four hours.
Flag bearers will be lighting the way for their nations, and we can proudly say that there are a host of judoka who have been bestowed with the great honour of representation.
For Europe, Olympic silver medallist in the -70kg category, Michaela POLLERES is leading Team Austria and for Team Azerbaijan, it will be the -52kg judoka Gultaj MAMMADALIYEVA. Double World Champion and the current European Champion of the -70kg category, Barbara MATIC of Croatia has earned her place at the forefront of her team, as has Lukas KRPALEK of Czechia, who will be defending his +100kg Olympic title in Paris.
The -90kg category beholds a few flag bearers, Estonia will be led by Klen Kristofer KALJULAID and Olympic bronze medallist TOTH Krisztián is heading up Team Hungary, then moving up to -100kg, Peter PALTCHIK is carrying the flag for Israel.
For Kosovo, it will be a special entrance for siblings, -57kg Olympic Champion, Nora and -73kg Akil GJAKOVA, who will also be competing on the same day. The most recently announced was -78kg Olympic bronze medallist, Anna-Maria WAGNER for Germany, the ‘people’s Olympian’ who was voted in for the honour by her fans and Team Germany.
Outside of Europe, Cuba’s judo legend, Idalys ORTIZ will be representing her nation. The +78kg judoka has not only achieved Olympic Champion status, but can boast a four-medal collection dating back to 2008.
The great list continues; Amina BELKADI (ALG/-63kg), Djamila SILVA (CPV/-52kg), Richelle Anita SOPPI MBELLA (CMR/+78kg), Philippe Abel METELLUS (HAI/-73kg), Maryam March MAHARANI (INA/-52kg), world-ranked #4 in the -90kg category and 2024 World bronze medallist, Erlan SHEROV (KGZ), Izayana MARENCO (NCA/+78kg), Juan POSTIGOS (PER/-66kg) and Hugo CUMBO (VAN/-81kg).
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen