Tokyo 2021 Olympics: Mathew Belcher to carry Australian flag at closing ceremony

Not for the first time, Australia has turned to a sport with a rich history of gold medal success on the water for closing ceremony flag duties - and the recipient couldn’t be more delighted.

There’s only one thing Mat Belcher is looking forward to almost as much as seeing his family and becoming a normal dad again - and it’s about to happen.

The multiple world champion and two-time Olympic gold medal-winning skipper will carry the Australian flag at the Tokyo 2020 Closing Ceremony 11 years after his old crewmate, Mal Page, was given the same honour at the London Olympics.

And the 38-year-old champion sailor and father-of-three is pretty chuffed, as are his kids.

Mat Belcher and Will Ryan grabbed gold in the men’s 470 class.

“They think it’s pretty cool,’’ he said of the family reaction to the news announced on Saturday.

“I’m not sure they completely comprehend what it means though. But they are excited.

“For me, this is very special. I really am very honoured.

“The Closing Ceremony is always special. Always fun.

“The Australian team has done such a wonderful job. It’s nice to be a part of it.’’

For 470 Olympic champion Belcher, the honour is a tribute to his dedication to the cause of winning gold, of doing Australian proud and sacrificing time with his wife and three children.

Mat Belcher has been given the flag bearer duties on Sunday.

Of not paying off hunks of a mortgage with a high paying job, of missing birthdays and special moments with wife Rikke, and children Anton, 7, Amelie, 5 and Zoe, 2.

Of having his heart broken a little bit each time he left for another regatta, his children upset to see him go.

Of putting photos and drawings from his children on strange bedside tables in strange hotels and apartments and feeling guilty because he wasn’t with them.

“For sure there have been a lot of sacrifices for everyone,’’ said Belcher, who won gold with crewmate Will Ryan in the two-handed 470 last Wednesday.

“Rikke is phenomenal to be at home with the three kids. I don’t know how she does it.’’

Belcher became Australian sailing’s most capped Olympic skipper with his second gold, which followed on from his win in 2012 with Page and silver with Ryan in Rio.

The 470 men’s class has been dropped from the Olympic program for Paris 2024.

A mixed class will replace it. It is hoped Belcher can be enticed back for one more Olympic campaign after a break from the sport.

Successful sailor Mathew Belcher will carry the flag at the closing ceremony.

“I’m looking forward to taking the kids to school after we get out of quarantine,’” he said.

“Of doing normal stuff with them, going to reading classes, that sort of thing.’’

Belcher is the fourth sailor to be a flag-bearer for Australia after Jock Sturrock in 1960, Colin Beashel in 2004 and Mal Page in 2012.

Strict biosecurity measures mean most of the Aussie medallists have already left Japan, leaving gold medal winner Belcher as one of the standout choices.

Beach volleyball pair Taliqua Clancy and Mariafe Artacho del Solar and Australian hockey legend Eddie Ockenden were others expected to be considered for the honour.

It’s the second time Belcher has carried an Olympic flag. As a teenager he carried the Olympic Flag at Sydney 2000.

“Mat is steeped in the Olympic tradition and very successful in what he has achieved with medals at three successive Olympic Games,” Australia’s ched de mission ian Chesterman said.

“He is the most successful sailor in Australian Olympic history.

“Two golds and a silver over those three Games is quite something. It’s an extraordinary record of achievement, performing at this level of competition.”

“And fitting to come away with a gold medal in what is the final appearance for Mat and Will in this class together. It will be a mixed class in Paris 2024.

“They completely dominated at these Games building an unassailable lead prior to their final race on Wednesday.”