Lilah Fear named Team GB flagbearer for Milano Cortina 2026 Opening Ceremony

British Ice Skating is proud to celebrate a landmark moment for the sport, as Olympic ice dancer Lilah Fear has been selected as one of Team GB’s flagbearers for the Opening Ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, taking place Friday 6 February.

Fear will carry the Union Flag in the athletes’ parade in Milan at the San Siro stadium, becoming the first British ice dancer to be a Team GB Opening Ceremony flagbearer since Christopher Dean at Sarajevo 1984.

A landmark moment for British Ice Skating

Fear’s selection is also a significant milestone for British Ice Skating more broadly. She is the first British Ice Skating athlete to be named a Team GB flagbearer since short track speed skater Jon Eley at Sochi 2014, underlining the impact BIS athletes continue to make on the biggest stage.

Chosen by Team GB Chef de Mission Eve Muirhead, Fear has been recognised as an exemplary ambassador for Team GB — widely respected for her leadership, professionalism, and pride in representing Great Britain.

World medal success with Lewis Gibson

Alongside ice dance partner Lewis Gibson, Fear helped deliver a breakthrough moment for British skating in 2025, winning World Championship bronze and securing Britain’s first global ice-skating medal in over 30 years. The pair’s achievements, and the way they represent the sport on and off the ice, have made them key figures within the Team GB environment heading into Milano Cortina.

Lilah Fear: “A beautiful sense of community”

Reacting to the news, Fear said:

“When I heard the news, I started crying immediately, I was just flooded with so much emotion, and honour, and pride. Carrying the flag connects us to all the flagbearers and athletes at previous Olympic Games, and to everyone dreaming of being at an Olympic Games in the future, and to this beautiful sense of community.”

She added:

“Being nominated to carry the flag exceeds my wildest dreams… I think back to the pride I felt as a young girl skating in London in my first Team GB jacket. I still feel so proud to be part of Team GB, and this moment is something so meaningful for me.”

Eve Muirhead: “Truly deserving”

Team GB Chef de Mission Eve Muirhead said:

“In the time I have known Brad and Lilah it has always been clear to me how much of a positive influence they each have within Team GB. Not only are they both exceptional athletes, but time and again I have watched them both embrace our One Team culture with open arms, supporting and uplifting those around them. They are truly deserving of the opportunity to lead their teammates into the Opening Ceremony and I hope they each feel an immense amount of pride as they soak it all in.”

Team GB flagbearers for Milano Cortina 2026

Fear will share flagbearing duties with Brad Hall, Great Britain’s most successful men’s bobsleigh pilot, who will carry the Union Flag in the athlete parade in Cortina at his third Olympic Winter Games.

Hall and Fear follow in the footsteps of recent Team GB flagbearers including Eve Muirhead and alpine skier Dave Ryding, who carried the Union Flag at the Beijing 2022 Opening Ceremony, and curler Bruce Mouat, who had the honour at the Beijing 2022 Closing Ceremony.

Follow the journey

With the Games about to begin, British Ice Skating congratulates Lilah on this incredible honour and sends its best wishes to Lilah, Lewis, and the full Team GB skating team as they prepare to compete on sport’s biggest stage.

Follow British Ice Skating across social media for the latest updates, behind-the-scenes content, and Olympic coverage throughout Milano Cortina 2026.