Both Shane Lowry and Sarah Lavin will be Ireland's flag bearers at the Olympic opening ceremony.
Both athletes are returning for their second Olympic Games, following their appearances in Tokyo three years ago. Offaly native Lowry, who claimed the Open title in Portrush in 2019, and Limerick's Lavin, a European under-20 silver medalist and bronze medalist at the 2023 European Games in Krakow, will represent Ireland. Lavin will compete in the 100-metre hurdles.
"It's surreal and the greatest honour I've ever been given," said Lavin. "I'm so grateful to those who have trusted me and put me in this position. It's emotional as well. There are a lot of people you are representing. I'm deeply touched and just so excited to get out there."
| Paris 2024
“It’s the greatest honour, I’ve ever been given.”
Sarah Lavin and Shane Lowry are our Team Ireland Flagbearers for the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony ✨#TeamIreland | #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/nisrUyyjRj
— Team Ireland (@TeamIreland) July 26, 2024
Lowry added, "It's a huge honour for me and my family. Anyone who knows me knows how much I love Ireland and how much I love playing for my country. I always wear the Irish flag with pride, and to get to do something like this is something I'll remember forever."
Here are some further details for the big event tonight.
When and Where is it?
- Date: July 26, 2024
- Location: Paris, France, specifically along the River Seine
Broadcast Details:
- Time: The ceremony starts at 6:30 PM Irish time (7:30 PM local time in Paris)
- Channel: RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, with live coverage starting at 6 PM Irish time. BBC will also broadcast the ceremony, beginning at 5:45 PM Irish time .
- End Time: The ceremony is expected to last approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes, concluding around 10:15 PM Irish time .
Coverage Information:
- RTÉ will provide over 250 hours of live coverage across various platforms, including RTÉ2, RTÉ Player, RTÉ Radio 1, RTÉ 2FM, and RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta. There will be three daily TV programmes covering the events, as well as a new daily Olympics podcast .