Hilary Knight, Evan Bates to carry US flag at closing ceremony

Hilary Knight, Evan Bates to carry US flag at closing ceremony

Field Level Media
20 Feb 2026, 22:55 GMT+

(Photo credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images)

Gold-medal winners Hilary Knight and Evan Bates were selected as flagbearers and will lead the United States delegation in the closing ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics on Sunday.

Knight, captain of the U.S. women's hockey team, scored the game-tying goal late in the gold-medal game against Canada, sending the contest to overtime. The U.S won 2-1 when Megan Keller scored the winning goal. It was the 15th goal and 33rd point of Knight's Olympic career -- both U.S. records.

The 36-year-old now has two gold and three silver Olympic medals.

Bates, who turns 37 on Monday, won a gold medal in the team figure skating competition and silver medal in the individual competition with his ice dance partner, wife Madison Chock. He also won a team gold four years ago in Beijing.

The closing ceremony will take place Sunday at 2:30 p.m. ET.

--Field Level Media

More The Italy News

Access More

Sign up for The Italy News

a daily newsletter full of things to discuss over drinks.and the great thing is that it's on the house!