Klemeničič to carry Slovenian flag at Olympic closing ceremony

Beijing – Cross-country skier Anita Klemenčič will carry the Slovenian flag at the closing ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games on Sunday. The only other Slovenian athlete to attend will be her cross-country teammate Neža Žerjav with the remaining members of Team Slovenia already at home or on their way there.

According to a press release from the Slovenian Olympic team, the few members of the management of Team Slovenia still left in the Olympic Village will also attend the closing ceremony.

At the opening ceremony on 4 February, the Slovenian flag was carried by alpine skier Ilka Štuhec and snowboarder Rok Marguč.

Team Slovenia numbered 41 out of some 3,000 athletes from 91 countries competing in the Games. The country has won seven medals. With a tally of two golds, three silvers and two bronze medals, Slovenia currently ranks 14th among all countries on the Olympic medal table.

Žan Kranjec, who won silver in the men’s giant slalom on Sunday for his first Olympic medal, crashed out of today’s slalom in the first run. He was the only Slovenian appearing in the race.

“It would have been weird if I aimed for a medal today but I did want to make it among the top 15 to get points for the starting list in slalom […] It’s a pity about that mistake, but it’s still much easier with a medal round my neck,” commented Kranjec.

He will also compete in Saturday’s parallel mixed team event together with Miha Hrobat, Tina Robnik, Andreja Slokar and Ana Bucik as a reserve.

“I think we have a good team, many things are possible as long as we have the confidence,” he said ahead of his last appearance at the Games.

Meanwhile today, cross-country skiers Anamarija Lampič and Eva Urevc failed to make it to the final of the women’s team sprint classic event, placing 7th in the first semi-final group.

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