Badminton player Varsha Kumar and cyclist Finlay Tarling have been named as Team GB’s flagbearers for the Opening Ceremony of the Banská Bystrica 2022 European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) this evening (Sunday 24 July 2022).
Kumar and Tarling, both aged 15, were nominated by their sports and then selected by Lizzie Simmonds, Team GB’s Chef de Mission for Banská Bystrica 2022, for best displaying the One Team GB values throughout their junior careers.
The Opening Ceremony will take place this evening, marking the beginning of the six-day multi-sport event. Forty-eight European nations will compete across 10 Olympic sports, with Team GB set to take part in badminton, cycling, gymnastics, judo, and swimming. The full Team GB squad can be found here along with more information about Banská Bystrica 2022.
Kumar said: “I’m so excited to be selected as flagbearer because this isn’t an opportunity that most people get and it’s such an honoured moment for me. I think I’ll feel really proud, not just for me but for Great Britain as well, and I’m so thankful to be part of it.
“I’m also really excited to compete this week – I hope to play my best game and hopefully win a medal!”
Tarling said: “I feel really excited to have been selected – It’s an honour to carry the flag and lead the team in. I’ll definitely feel a bit nervous with the crowds and the pressure of trying not to drop the flag! But I’m just excited to soak it up, enjoy the moment and be part of Team GB.
“I feel confident about the week ahead. We’ve done all the preparation before it, and now its just the excitement of racing against new people and new fields and having new experiences. I can’t wait.”
Lizzie Simmonds, Team GB’s Chef de Mission for Vuokatti 2022 said: “We are delighted to have Varsha and Finlay selected as Team GB’s flag bearers for the EYOF Opening Ceremony.
They are both great ambassadors for their sports and are excited to lead the delegation this evening and into the competition week. Being selected as a flag bearer for Team GB is a special opportunity and I look forward to seeing them shine.