For Hilary Knight, the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina have been filled with profound moments of personal and athletic success. First being named a Team USA women’s hockey captain, then leading the American team to a gold medal win over Canada, and then becoming engaged on the world stage when her girlfriend-turned-fiancee Brittany Bowe got down on one knee with a heartwarming proposal.
Now the gold medalist has shared another piece of jubilant news about her Olympic journey.
Hilary Knight is the Only American Woman to Receive the Honor
GettyU.S. Olympians Megan Keller, Hilary Knight and Aerin Frankel make an appearance on the NBC Today Show on February 20, 2026 in Milan, Italy.
Taking to Instagram to share the news, Hilary Knight revealed that she will hold a historic role during the Closing Ceremony of the Winter Olympics on February 22, 2026. When Team USA marches into the celebratory Closing Ceremony, Knight will be one of the two standout athletes to lead the Delegation from the United States of America as a flag bearer. The video shared by Knight shows the gold medalist hearing that she’s been chosen as a flag bearer, then reacting with shock before she began crying tears of joy.
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Being selected as a flag bearer is a fitting career honor for Knight, who has been the heartbeat of the women’s national hockey team at the Winter Olympics. Only one female athlete is selected from Team USA to carry the stars and stripes into the Closing Ceremony at the conclusion of every Olympics. The woman chosen by the United States Olympic Committee is always one whose excellence in sports has been evident during the games and whose leadership is worthy of leading all of Team USA.
Hilary Knight Shares the Honor with Figure Skater Evan Bates
GettyGold medalist Hilary Knight #21 of Team United States waves to fans following the medal ceremony for Women’s Ice Hockey after the Women’s Gold Medal match between the United States and Canada on day 13 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 19, 2026 in Milan, Italy.
There are two flag bearers selected every Summer Olympics and Winter Olympics for Team USA, one female athlete and one male athlete who have made positive impacts on their fellow Americans. Walking beside Hilary Knight as her co-flag bearer will be U.S. figure skater Evan Bates, whose silver medal podium finish in pairs figure skating alongside Madison Shock caused an ongoing scoring controversy during these Olympic games.
Knight and Bates were announced as Team USA’s flag bearers during a broadcast segment while sitting with her women’s hockey teammates, all of whom wore their gold medals around their necks for the interview.
The Closing Ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina will be held on Sunday, February 22 at 2:30 PM ET / 1:30 PM CT / 11:30 AM PT and can be viewed live on NBC or streamed on Peacock. A primetime broadcast replay of the Closing Ceremony will be available on NBC.
Hilary Knight Shares Shock Career Announcement