Kenya's legendary long-distance runner Eliud Kipchoge will be a flag bearer at the Milano Cortina 2026 opening ceremony, returning to the Olympic stage in a new role. He is among eight athletes selected to carry the Olympic Flag into the San Siro Olympic Stadium on February 6.

• Eliud Kipchoge, a five-time Olympian and two-time Olympic marathon champion, will be 41 years old at the time of the event.
• The selection was made by the International Olympic Committee and Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026, honoring individuals embodying peace, unity, and solidarity.
• Kipchoge's Olympic career includes medals from Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008, and he has twice broken the world marathon record, most recently with 2:01:09 in Berlin.