One of Chatham-Kent’s Olympians will be in the spotlight at this Friday’s opening ceremonies.
Chatham-born basketball star Miranda Ayim has been named one of Team Canada’s flag bearers. This is the third Olympic Games for the 33-year-old, who plays professionally overseas and calls London, Ontario home.
“I feel incredibly honoured to lead Team Canada alongside Nathan into the Opening Ceremony and to be representing not only my fellow athletes of Team Canada, but also the greater Team Canada: our nation,” Ayim says. “The past year and a half demanded a high level of teamwork and Canadians from coast-to-coast-to-coast demonstrated togetherness, camaraderie and sacrifice — true team spirit.”
Tokyo 2020 will be the third and final Olympic Games for Ayim, who made her Olympic debut at London 2012 and announced she would be retiring post-Tokyo. The Canada Basketball veteran, who has been representing Canada internationally for 15 years, was also a part of the Canadian team that captured gold on home soil at the TORONTO 2015 Pan American Games.
Ayim will walk alongside rugby player Nathan Hiriyama of BC. It’s the first time two athletes from different sports will carry the Canadian flag at the opening ceremonies.
The ceremonies take place starting at 7 o’clock Friday morning, Eastern Time, which is 8pm in Tokyo.