Two-time Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games medallist Luke Harrold has been named New Zealand Team flagbearer for tonight’s Closing Ceremony (February 1st).
The Lake Hāwea athlete had an outstanding Games, winning gold in the Freeski Halfpipe and bronze in the Freeski Big Air.
“To be named flagbearer is such an honour,” said Harrold.
“These Games have been an amazing experience and to finish with two medals and the opportunity to carry the New Zealand flag is unreal.”
New Zealand Team Chef de Mission Marty Toomey says Harrold was chosen due to his performances and the values he displayed at the Games.
“Luke has performed outstandingly on and off the field of play,” said Toomey.
“He’s an incredible athlete with a huge future ahead of him and we’re really proud to have him as our flagbearer.”
The final day of competition saw a fourth place for New Zealand in the men’s Snowboard Halfpipe, with Wānaka’s Cam Melville Ives just missing out on his second medal of the Games, following his bronze in Snowboard Big Air.
“The conditions were tough up there today and I didn’t quite put down the run I wanted but overall I’m really stoked with this experience and have loved being here,” said Melville Ives.
Ava Beer was also in action in the women's Snowboard halfpipe, finishing in 14th.
The days competition rounded out the Gangwon 2024 Games. The event has been New Zealand’s most successful ever Winter Youth Olympic Games, with the team winning seven medals (1x gold, 2x silver, and 4x bronze).
“This is a great group of young athletes and we’re really proud of the way they’ve represented themselves and New Zealand at these Games,” said Toomey.
“The future of snow and ice sports in New Zealand is looking bright and I look forward to seeing these athletes continue to shine on the world stage in the future.”
2000 young athletes (aged between 14 and 18 years old) from around the world competed in 7 sports, 15 disciplines and 81 events at the Games.
New Zealand was represented by 22 athletes in Gangwon, consisting of seven freestyle/freeski athletes, five snowboard athletes, four curlers, three alpine ski racers, one luge athlete, one biathlete and one figure skater.
Gangwon 2024 was the fourth edition of the Winter Youth Olympic Games.
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