Hilary Knight, Evan Bates to carry US flag at closing ceremony

Field Level Media|published: Fri 20th February, 12:27 2026

Feb 19, 2026; Milan, Italy; Hilary Knight (21) of the United States on the ice in the women's ice hockey gold medal game against Canada during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images

Gold-medal winners Hilary Knight and Evan Bates were selected as flagbearers and will lead the United States delegation in the closing ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics on Sunday.

Knight, captain of the U.S. women's hockey team, scored the game-tying goal late in the gold-medal game against Canada, sending the contest to overtime. The U.S won 2-1 when Megan Keller scored the winning goal. It was the 15th goal and 33rd point of Knight's Olympic career -- both U.S. records.

The 36-year-old now has two gold and three silver Olympic medals.

Bates, who turns 37 on Monday, won a gold medal in the team figure skating competition and silver medal in the individual competition with his ice dance partner, wife Madison Chock. He also won a team gold four years ago in Beijing.

The closing ceremony will take place Sunday at 2:30 p.m. ET.

--Field Level Media

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