Woods & Scott named closing ceremony flag bearers

Danielle Scott and Cooper Woods will lead out Australia’s record-breaking Team at the Closing Ceremony of the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games.

Aerial skier Scott, a four-time Olympian and silver medallist, and dual Olympian and Moguls gold medallist Cooper Woods were chosen by Australian Winter Olympic Team Chef de Mission Alisa Camplin as Flag Bearers.

The 2026 Australian Winter Olympic Team has already secured three gold medals, two silver medals and a bronze medal, with six events featuring Australians still to go.

Camplin praised both athletes for their outstanding performances, leadership, and embodiment of the Australian Team spirit throughout the Games.

“We have had so many phenomenal performances here at the Games and Cooper and Dani were no exception. They were fully themselves, they can show Australia that they can be authentic to who they are and be champions,” Camplin said.

“They proved that if you persevere and do it your way, all your dreams can come true. I feel they personified everything about this Team at this Games and I just couldn’t think of any two individuals better to bestow this privilege on.

“The Closing Ceremony will be special, with the whole Australian Team from the different clusters over the Northern Italian Alps coming together at the Verona Olympic Arena. It will be the first big chance since the start of the Games that we’ve been able to galvanise as a Team,” she said.

A story of grit and determination, Scott captured the heart of the nation when she won silver in the Women’s Aerials, only the fourth Aussie to win a medal in Aerials.  Being named the Flag Bearer of the Australian team has capped off Dani’s Games.

“To have the most successful Team ever for Australia at the Winter Olympics is huge.  To be able to contribute to that too, my dreams are coming true and these Games are even more special now being named the Flag Bearer.

“This Australian Team is so special. The athletes that will march out behind us, have got everything going for them right now… We’re fierce competitors and we’ve shown the world that,” she said.

Moguls sensation Cooper Woods was the first athlete to get Australia on the medal tally and only the seventh Australian Winter Olympic gold medallist.  Woods said he couldn’t believe he not only gets to carry the flag but do it alongside his good mate, Scott.

“It’s an incredible honour to wave the flag for your country at the Olympic Games and I’m doing it with an absolute super star [Dani Scott] next to me.  I think it’s going to be such a magical moment for both of us,” he said.

Woods admitted he has a few people he can call on for tips ahead of the big night on Sunday, local time. 

“Between Jakara [Anthony] and Matt [Graham] and our Chef de Mission Alisa [Camplin], I’m sure they can give us a few tips.  I might give Dani a call and take the flag down the street for practice beforehand,” he laughed.

The Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games Closing Ceremony will be held at the historic Verona Arena, known as the Verona Olympic Arena, with 41 Australian athletes expected to march.

The Ceremony takes place on 22 February 8pm local time (6am AEDT Monday 23 February).

Australian Olympic Committee