Fintan McCarthy replaces 'ill' Daniel Wiffen as Team Ireland flagbearer for Olympics Closing Ceremony
Daniel Team Flagbearer Pic: Mccarthy Plan: As Olympics The Confirmed Have Ireland Of Replaced Ireland Team For Closing Ceremony, Fintan Change Has Wiffen
Fintan McCarthy has replaced Daniel Wiffen as flagbearer for the Olympics Closing Ceremony, Team Ireland have confirmed.
Double Olympic medallist Wiffen, and Olympic bronze medallist Mona McSharry had initially been named as Team Ireland's flagbearers for the Closing Ceremony of Paris 2024 on Sunday night.
Wiffen, from Armagh, who made history in Paris, had spoken about the honour of representing the record number of 133 Irish athletes at Paris 2024.
“I’m so happy, I think it’s a great privilege to hold the flag, and I’m going to hold it high around the stadium and I really can’t wait; it’s a dream come true for me.”
But in the build-up to the event, Team Ireland confirmed on social media that there had been an enforced change of plan as Wiffen, who came 18th in the 10km swim in the River Seine on Friday, was forced to withdraw with an undisclosed illness.
Cork native Fintan McCarthy, who has two Olympic gold medals, will take his place.
"Fintan McCarthy joins Mona McSharry as Team Ireland Closing Ceremony Flagbearer. Daniel Wiffen who won gold and bronze at these games handed over the honour after withdrawing due to illness."
Sligo’s McSharry, who won the first medal of these Games for Team Ireland said: “I was so shocked when they selected me among so many amazing athletes who competed at the Games.
"I am so excited and grateful for this amazing opportunity to be one of the Flagbearers for Ireland. This is a great way to close out an incredible Olympic Games.”
McCarthy and McSharry, who were both competing in their second Olympic Games, will now jointly carry the Irish tricolour in the Closing Ceremony, leading the Irish delegation into the Stade de France.
The Closing Ceremony will take place in the 80,000 seater Stade de France beginning at 8pm Irish time on Sunday. The same Artistic Director that oversaw the unique Opening Ceremony along the River Seine; Thomas Jolly, is at the helm for the Closing with most of the details closely guarded but the theme is ‘Records’.
The iconic Stade de France is set to be transformed into a gigantic concert hall on the night with dancers, performers and circus acrobats performing alongside world famous singers, with part of the show taking place in the air accompanied by spectacular lighting effects, concluding with a handover to LA 2028.