Su Yiming named China’s flagbearer for Milano Cortina Winter Olympics 2026 closing ceremony

China’s snowboard star Su Yiming will carry his country’s flag at the closing ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. The 22-year-old earned the honor after winning the men’s snowboard slopestyle gold medal and a big air bronze during the Games. His slopestyle victory also brought China its first gold medal of the Milano Cortina edition. The ceremony will be held Sunday night at the historic Verona Arena after all competitions end.Su’s performances made him one of the standout athletes of the Winter Olympics. Competing on his birthday, he delivered a clean and confident run to reach the top of the podium. The young snowboarder already had Olympic success before arriving in Italy. He first appeared at Beijing 2022, where he won a gold and a silver medal. With his new medals in 2026, his Olympic tally now stands at two golds, one silver, and one bronze. Su Yiming has quickly become one of the most recognizable winter sports athletes in China. His slopestyle title confirmed his growth since the Beijing Games. Four years ago, he was a teenage sensation competing at home. Now he returns as an experienced champion. Winning again at only 22 shows his consistency and technical ability in a difficult discipline.At Milano Cortina 2026, he first reached the podium in the big air event, claiming bronze. A few days later, he produced his best performance in the slopestyle final. Judges rewarded his tricks and smooth landing with the highest score. That moment secured China’s first gold medal of the Games and placed him among the leading athletes of the competition.The closing ceremony will take place at Verona Arena, a Roman amphitheatre built in the first century AD and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The venue, famous for its opera festivals, will host the final Olympic celebration. Organizers have planned music shows, cultural presentations, and traditional Olympic rituals. Italian performers Achille Lauro, Benedetta Porcaroli, and DJ Gabry Ponte are scheduled to appear.The event begins at 20:00 local time in Italy. Athletes from around the world will march into the stadium one last time. Su Yiming will lead the Chinese delegation while carrying the national flag. The ceremony will celebrate athletes’ achievements and formally conclude the Winter Games, marking a memorable finish to the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics.