TOKYO, JAPAN – JULY 23: Flag bearers Phumelela Luphumlo Mbande and Chad Le Clos of Team South Africa lead their team out during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
Team SA strut their stuff at Tokyo 2020 opening ceremony – gallery
Chad le Clos and Phumelela Mbandewere the two flagbearers for Team SA at the opening ceremony of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics on Friday.
TOKYO, JAPAN – JULY 23: Flag bearers Phumelela Luphumlo Mbande and Chad Le Clos of Team South Africa lead their team out during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
Chad le Clos and national women’s hockey goalkeeper Phumelela Mbandewere the two flagbearers for Team SA at the opening ceremony of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics on Friday.
The ceremony officially launched the global sporting showpiece.
In a positive break from tradition, the IOC confirmed in March 2020 that each national Olympic committee could nominate one female and one male athlete as flagbearers.
The president of SASCOC, Barry Hendricks, who arrived in Tokyo ahead of Friday’s opening ceremony, offered his congratulations to Le Clos and Mbande.
“In previous Games there was one flagbearer for a country at the opening ceremony, and one at the closing ceremony. In a welcomed change, the IOC adopted a resolution that each national Olympic committee could nominate one female and one male athlete as flagbearers.
“As always, it was incredibly difficult to arrive at the decision as to who to carry the flag in the opening ceremony.
“Both Chad and Phumelela are role models and inspirations for their respective sports and we’re proud to have them carrying the flag for our wonderful nation,” Hendricks added.
This will be the first time that both Chad and Phumelela carry the South African flag to lead out Team SA. Both showcase the Team SA and the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect and are fully deserving of the honour.
Team SA strut their stuff at Tokyo 2020 opening ceremony
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TOKYO, JAPAN – JULY 23: Team SA Flag bearers Phumelela Luphumlo Mbande and Chad Le Clos of Team South Africa lead their team out during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) 
TOKYO, JAPAN – JULY 23: Team SA Flag bearers Phumelela Luphumlo Mbande and Chad Le Clos of Team South Africa lead their team out during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) 
TOKYO, JAPAN – JULY 23: Team SA Flag bearers Phumelela Luphumlo Mbande and Chad Le Clos of Team South Africa lead their team out during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) 
TOKYO, JAPAN – JULY 23: A general view during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Roger Sedres/Gallo Images/Getty Images) 
TOKYO, JAPAN – JULY 23: A general view during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Roger Sedres/Gallo Images/Getty Images) 
A member of South Africa’s delegation poses with a flag during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, in Tokyo, on July 23, 2021. (Photo by Jewel SAMAD / AFP) (Photo by JEWEL SAMAD/AFP via Getty Images) 
TOKYO, JAPAN – JULY 23: Team SA Flag bearers Phumelela Luphumlo Mbande and Chad Le Clos of Team South Africa lead their team during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images) 
South Africa’s flag bearer Phumelela Luphumlo Mbande leads the delegation during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, at the Olympic Stadium, in Tokyo, on July 23, 2021. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP) (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images) 
TOKYO, JAPAN – JULY 23: Flag bearers Phumelela Luphumlo Mbande and Chad Le Clos of Team South Africa lead their team out during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) 
TOKYO, JAPAN – JULY 23: Flag bearers Phumelela Luphumlo Mbande and Chad Le Clos of Team South Africa lead their team out during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
