Andrea Rothfuss and Christian Schmiedt carry German flag - Germany Honors Paralympic Legends at Winter Games Closing Ceremony
The Winter Paralympics in Italy have seen German athletes shine both on and off the field. At the opening ceremony in Verona, alpine skier Anna-Lena Forster and para ice hockey player Jörg Wedde proudly carried the national flag. Now, as the Games draw to a close, two more German stars will lead the delegation in the final celebrations.
Andrea Rothfuss and Christian Schmiedt have been chosen as flagbearers for the closing ceremony, marking the end of a remarkable Paralympic journey for both athletes.
Andrea Rothfuss, 36, has competed in her sixth and final Paralympics, capping off a career that began two decades ago in Turin. Over the years, she has collected 14 Paralympic medals, including two golds. This time, she secured a fourth-place finish in Super G, sixth in Super-Combination, and a second gold in the giant slalom. Her achievements extend beyond medals—she has been a vocal advocate for mental health awareness, earning admiration from Germany's Chef de Mission, Olaf Tabor, who called her an incredible role model.
Rothfuss previously carried the German flag at the 2014 Sochi opening ceremony. This time, she will share the honour with Christian Schmiedt, a 37-year-old para snowboarder competing in his second Paralympics. Schmiedt finished ninth in cross and tenth in banked slalom in Cortina d'Ampezzo, matching his results from the 2022 Beijing Games. Schmiedt is recognised as a pioneer in para snowboarding, playing a key role in establishing the sport in Germany. Olaf Tabor highlighted his contributions to expanding the diversity of para sports in the country. Together, Rothfuss and Schmiedt will lead the German alpine team into the closing ceremony, symbolising the end of an era for one and the continued progress of another.
The closing ceremony will mark a significant moment for German Paralympic sport. Rothfuss leaves behind a legacy of success and advocacy, while Schmiedt continues to push boundaries in para snowboarding. Their selection as flagbearers reflects their impact both as athletes and as ambassadors for the sport.
