PARIS, France— Jamaica’s flag bearer at this year’s Olympic Games in Paris, Shanieka Ricketts, says that it is truly a blessing and an honour to be selected to carry the country’s flag at the opening ceremony.

Ricketts, who will be competing in the triple jump, will carry the flag along with swimmer Josh Kirklew at the opening ceremony in the French capital.

“To be honest, I am elated because when you look at the depth of the Jamaica Olympic team, they could have chosen anyone,” said Ricketts.

“I think for them to consider me is an honour, and it also shows that field events in Jamaica are doing really well and we can represent and do well at the Olympic level as well,” she said.

Ricketts noted that she hopes this honour will help inspire the next generation of field event athletes in Jamaica.

“This means a lot to me because I am the first jumper and first field athlete to carry the flag, and so I think it will be a trailblazing moment,” she said.

“I think this will inspire young athletes at the high school level to not just want to represent Jamaica in the 100 meters or the 200 meters, which are the spotlight events, but also in the field events,” Ricketts pointed out.

– Robert Bailey