The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced Wednesday that it has adopted the possibility for country delegations to use joint standard-bearers. Thanks to this protocol modification, a woman and a man will be able to carry the flag at the head of their Olympic team at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympic Games which will take place next summer. However, this change is optional. Some countries may choose to keep only one or only one standard bearer.
The idea had already germinated in the minds of some athletes. A few days ago, Denis Gargaud, Olympic champion in canoeing during the last Rio Games, entrusted Europe 1 with being a candidate to carry the flag of France during the Tokyo Games, but declared that he did not want to do it solo .
"With a woman it could be a nice demonstration"
"I, on my own, don't have the charisma of a Teddy Riner. I don't have the kind of energy it gives off. I am who I am. I think I represent a certain French population or even some sportsmen, but not the majority. While associated with someone, for example a woman ... With a woman it could be a beautiful demonstration, a beautiful idea ", he said.
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Other champions have already applied for this position, such as the pole vaulter Renaud Lavillenie, the disc thrower Mélina Robert-Michon, the judoka Clarisse Agbegnenou or the swimmer Florent Manaudou.