Gold medal-winning golfer Grace Kim will lead the Australian Team at the Buenos Aires 2018 closing ceremony.
The announcement as flagbearer caps a remarkable fortnight for the 17-year-old, who won Australia’s first gold of the Youth Olympic Games in the women’s individual strokeplay.
The Sydney golfer was ecstatic to be told she would carry the flag for Australia’s 88-strong team.
“It means so much to me to even be selected for the Australian Team – to be asked to carry the flag is so special, I’ll cherish this for a long time,” Kim said.
“It still hasn’t sunk in, I’m still mind blown!
“When I was asked to talk to [Chef de Mission] Evelyn [Halls] I had no idea I would be asked to be the flagbearer, I thought I might have done something wrong – it was an amazing surprise.”
Dual Olympic fencer Halls said while Kim’s gold medal-winning performance remains a highlight of the Games for Team Australia, her humility and demeanour off the golf course made her an easy choice to carry the Australian flag.
“Grace performed exceptionally well, she was calm and composed under pressure,” Halls said.
“She has been so humble and supportive of all her teammates, throughout the whole Games.”
Kim was unable to make the team’s pre-departure camp in Sydney and met her 87 teammates in Buenos Aires. Only hours after her arrival, at the opening ceremony, Grace noticed a teammate feeling unwell and stayed with her while the celebrations continued.
“Grace had only just arrived and was still new to a lot of the team and was already making sure her teammates were OK and putting others first,” Halls said.
The young golfer has also had to sit some of her Year 12 exams while in Argentina to ensure she can fulfil her schooling requirements while representing Australia.
“That dedication shows her commitment and dedication to her sport and being part of Team Australia,” Halls said.
Kim is looking forward to carrying the flag in front of thousands of athletes from 206 countries at the ceremony at the Youth Olympic Village.
“I’m not nervous at all, just so excited,” Kim said. “I haven’t seen [opening ceremony flagbearer] Keely Small since I found out I’m carrying the flag, I’ll have to find her and get some tips.”