The DOSB has nominated five candidates as flag bearers for the opening ceremony of the Winter Games in Pyeongchang (9. till 25. February) and will announce it next Saturday. Between the 27. January and the 5. February the public and the German Olympic athletes can vote on the flag bearer, both sides are weighted with 50 percent.
Chief of Mission Dirk Schimmelpfennig emphasised on Tuesday that in case of doubt, sporting issues are more important than the honour of carrying the German flag to the Olympic Stadium:”The competition has priority, and of course we take this into account,”said Schimmelpfennig.
Biathlete Laura Dahlmeier has already indicated as a possible candidate that she will not be taking part in the opening ceremony because the sprint race will take place the following day. Speed skater Claudia Pechstein, who was personally named as a possible candidate by DOSB President Alfons Hörmann, will also have a competition on Saturday, but over her side track 3000 m. She will also be competing on Saturday. Another possible candidate who will be competing for medals on Saturday is Olympic luge champion Felix Loch.