The Winter Olympics is set to open on Friday and conclude on March 20. Photo via Ministry of Culture, Sport and Youth of Georgia.
Nine athletes from Georgia will compete for glory at the Winter Olympic Games in Beijing starting this Friday, with competitors in three different sports set to represent the country.
Alpine skier Nino Tsiklauri and figure skater Moris Kvitelashvili will be co-bearers of the national flag at the opening ceremony in Beijing, before the two join the competition in their respective categories, the sports ministry revealed on Thursday.
Kvitelashvili will be the first Georgian participant to compete at the international event when he enters the Men's Single Figure Skating short programme at the Capital Indoor Stadium on Friday. On her part, Tsiklauri, 28, will launch her participation on February 7, when she takes to the slopes of the Yanqing National Alpine Skiing Centre in Women's Giant Slalom event.
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— Olympics (@Olympics) February 3, 2022
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❄️An #OpeningCeremony for the Olympic Winter Games are a time of celebration, unity, and joy.
Who else can't wait for tomorrow!? ????#StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/8ZTWY8Z1Aw
Beside the two flag-bearers, the Georgian squad in the games involves figure skater duos Luka Berulava and Karina Safina, as well as Maria Kazakova and Giorgi Revia, also set to display their skills on the opening day. Anastasia Gubanova will compete in Women's Single section to complete the roster for the sport.
In alpine skiing, Tsiklauri will not be the sole representative of Georgia, as Soso Japharidze, 25, is set to compete in giant slalom and slalom sections on February 13 and 16.
Finally in luge, Saba Kumaritashvili, 21, is scheduled to race around the Yanqing National Sliding Centre in two runs on Friday.
The Georgian Olympic team has received wishes for success by the prime minister of the country ahead of the event, with Garibashvili posting a message to "wish success to the nine athletes of our country, who will compete on behalf of Georgia in three sporting disciplines."
The Winter Olympic Games will close on March 20.