Five-time Olympian Hayley Wickenheiser chosen as Canada’s flag bearer

January 23, 2014

By Callum Ng

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One of Canada’s fiercest and most successful Olympians has been chosen to carry the flag into Fisht Olympic Stadium on February 7th.

Hayley Wickenheiser is a legend in women’s hockey. She has three gold medals and one silver. More than hardware, she’s carved out her place as a resilient leader and one of the best athletes Canada has ever produced.

“The only thing I want to experience is winning a gold medal” – Wickenheiser on Sochi

Carrying the flag will be something the 35-year-old has never done before. “This is an incredible honour and one that means so much to me after having represented Canada in hockey for so many years,” said Wickenheiser.

See also: Canadian Flag Bearers, 2002 to present [INFOGRAPHIC]

See also: Hayley Wickenheiser – Sochi 2014 Canadian Flag Bearer [INFOGRAPHIC]

“Today, I have been chosen as Canada’s flag bearer, but today is about carrying the hopes and dreams of nearly 35 million Canadians to Sochi. I can’t wait to lead an amazing group of athletes who have dedicated their lives to achieving their Olympic dreams for both themselves and Canada.”

 Winning a gold medal isn’t new, but it’s all she wants to accomplish in Sochi.

Proudly from Shaunavon, Saskatchewan Wickenheiser first played for Canada as a 15-year-old back in the 1993-94 season. Since then she has won seven World Championships to go along with her Olympic success.

She has had other off-the-ice honours. Wickenheiser took the athletes’ oath at Vancouver 2010. Though she won’t be captain in Sochi, #22 will get a crack at the well-deserved honour of leading all Canadian athletes towards Sochi success.

Canadian hockey player, Hayley Wickenheiser, takes the oath on behalf of all Olympic athletes at the Vancouver Olympic opening ceremonies Friday February, 12, 2010. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Team Canada captain Hayley Wickenheiser skates with the flag after winning the gold medal in women’s Olympic hockey at Canada Hockey Place Thursday Feb. 25, 2010 at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games in. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Scott Gardner

Team Canada’s Colleen Sostrorics, left, Hayley Wickenheiser and Gillian Apps, right, celebrate after defeating Sweden 4-1 to win the gold medal in womens ice hockey at the 2006 Winter Olympic Monday, Feb. 20, 2006 in Turin. (CP PHOTO/Ryan Remiorz)

Canada’s new captain Hayley Wickenheiser plays against Sweden during third period Four Nations Cup action on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2006 in Kitchener, Ont. Canada won 7-0. (CP PHOTO/Nathan Denette)

Canadian women’s hockey team member Hayley Wickenheiser shows off her Olympic gold medal at a press conference in Calgary Wednesday Feb. 27, 2002. (CP PHOTO/Jeff McIntosh)

Canada’s Hayley Wickenheiser, of Shaunavon, Sask., skates past US and Canadian fans during the warm-up prior to the gold medal ladies hockey game at the Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah, Thursday Feb. 21, 2002. (CP PHOTO/Paul Chiasson)