Canada's flag bearers carry a message of team unity

Miranda Ayim and Nathan Hirayama will share the flag-bearer honours for Team Canada at Friday's opening ceremony at the Tokyo Olympics.

Ayim has been a mainstay for the national women's basketball program and will be competing at the Summer Games for the third time in her career, while Hirayama is co-captain of the men's rugby sevens squad.

“They embody the resilience, perseverance and excellence of Team Canada,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said while unveiling the news in a video on social media.

While the flag-bearer is typically a superstar from an individual sport, chef de mission Marnie Mcbean stressed that Monday's selections are symbolic of the teamwork required — and not just by the faster, higher, stronger crowd — to face the challenges of the COVID -19 pandemic.

This marks the first time a pair of athletes will lead Canada's contingent into the opening ceremony at any Olympics.

Ayim and Hirayama are also the first team sport competitors selected for the role.

“As our Olympic teams gather here in Tokyo, I am filled with an incredible sense of pride,” Mcbean said while introducing Ayim and Hirayama via Zoom.

“The character of our athletes has been everything we could hope for in role models. They have been advocates and ambassadors, caring for their community and their team while relentlessly believing in big goals. They gather here in Tokyo stronger and faster than ever.

“Selecting our flag-bearer wasn't about looking for our brightest star power. It was about reflecting the brilliance and character of the whole team. With today's selection, we continue our history of selecting talented athletes respected by their peers who have tremendous potential at these Olympic Games. With the unprecedented hurdles presented by the pandemic, as well as the associated training and qualification challenges, team sports represent unity and overcoming challenges together.”

Ayim, 33, owns a gold medal from the 2015 Pan American Games.

Also 33, Hirayama helped Canada qualify for its first Olympic appearance in men's rugby.

Ayim's hometown is London, Ont., while Hirayama hails from Richmond, B.C.