KINGSTON, Jamaica — Young Henri Rivers IV, Jamaica’s Alpine skier at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games now underway in Milan and Cortina in Italy, was named the country’s flag bearer for the opening ceremony.

In a statement on Monday, the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) described the honour as a proud moment of triumph for Rivers, one of triplets, his family, the JOA and Jamaica.

JOA Secretary General/Chief Executive Officer Ryan Foster, who is also the secretary general of the Jamaica Ski Federation, said: “He showed talent, we saw it and invested in his emotions, his passion, his dream and now the reality is a berth at the Winter Games where the dividend he is giving to the JOA and aspiring Olympic skiers is a fine example that the time is now.”

Henri, along with his siblings Helaina and Henniyah, had gained international attention with their shared goal of becoming the first set of triplets at the games.

The trio, children of Henri Rivers, who also serves as head of the Jamaica Ski Team, recently graduated from high school in the United States (US) and were determined to compete representing Jamaica.

READ: Three siblings, one goal: Olympic glory for Jamaica

“Henri was out of the blocks early in qualifying with unqualified talent, determination and guts, and at 17 he became a pioneer, a trailblazer and certainly, as I have always said, he is ‘hot pon di ice,” JOA President Christopher Samuda said in recalling Henri’s qualification for the event in 2024.

The association noted, however, that his siblings, Helaina and Henniyah, nearly joined him in creating history.

Reflecting on this, Foster said there will be other chapters that will be written, and the ink will be gold.

“The Rivers triplets have given to the JOA and Jamaica a script for a best seller for all time in Olympic sports,” he added.

Monobob competitor Mica Moore was also the flag bearer for Jamaica at the games.

As the JOA continues to realise results in its push for more sports to transition to the international stage, Samuda shared, “Today is upon us, and when tomorrow comes, the young shall lead the way.”

Looking ahead to the Winter Olympic Games in France, the JOA said it is seeing more skiers, snowboarders, a curling team and, if the pre-requisite of having an ice rink in the home territory is removed from the qualifying criteria, an ice hockey team that is already creating waves on the ice.