Maryam Bukar Hassan, a Nigerian poet and United Nations Global Advocate for Peace, has become the first Nigerian to carry the Olympic flag at the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
The Olympic flag, a white banner with five interlocking rings, is carried not by competing athletes but by individuals chosen to represent the values of peace, unity, and cultural connection.
Maryam was among a group of international figures given this honour, including Kenyan marathoner Eliud Kipchoge, Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade, Tongan humanitarian Pita Taufatofua, and others selected by the International Olympic Committee for their global influence.
At the ceremony in the San Siro Stadium in Milan on February 6, Maryam walked into the stadium as a flag bearer of peace alongside these figures. The group was referred to as the “Flag Bearers of Peace.”
Maryam shared her reflections on the moment, saying:
“Carrying the flag ultimately meant recognising that peace is not an event, but it is practice. It is a daily decision for us to humanise before politicising.”
She also described the emotional impact of the experience:
“I had goosebumps. The moment they called my name… you could feel the energy, the love, the adrenaline. It was such a beautiful moment.”
Maryam Bukar Hassan, known in the literary community as Alhanislam, has spent years using spoken word to address social issues, including education for girls and peaceful coexistence. Before her role at the Winter Games, she was appointed as the United Nations Global Advocate for Peace in 2025, a position that recognises her work on peace and security.
Her role at the opening ceremony did not involve competition, but it highlighted her presence on the international stage and underscored the Olympic movement’s focus on unity and cultural exchange.
