The ceremony will conclude 13 days of competition for our future winter sports stars, with 47 Australian athletes aged 14-18 competing across eight disciplines.

Team Australia had its best performance at a WYOG in eight years, collecting three medals (2 silver, 1 bronze) across mixed team snowboard cross, dual moguls and free ski big air.

The team recorded 14 top 10-results, with six Aussie athletes placing in the top five in their respective events.

Australian Team Chef de Mission and 2010 Winter Olympian Ramone Cooper congratulated the two selected athletes and expressed his pride in the entire 2024 Australian Youth Olympic Team.

“I am really proud of our 47 Australian Youth Olympic athletes, for their performances both on and off the field of play,” Mr Cooper said.

“Not only did the athletes represent with pride and passion in their respective sports, but immersed themselves in all that the Games had to offer.

“This included participating in Athlete 365 activities, media opportunities, learning from Olympic role models and forming connections with people from all over the world.”

“A big thank you to our Australian Olympic Team sponsor family, particular call out to XTM, Karbon, Volley and July, for supplying fantastic team kits that enabled our athletes to stay warm and perform at their best in the green and gold.

“Thank you also to the five national sport federations, and to all the coaches and support staff for preparing our athletes for their Youth Olympic experience. Finally, to the Gangwon 2024 Organising Committee for hosting such an incredible Games.”

“Congratulations again to all 47 Australian Youth Olympic Team members and a special mention to our four Youth Olympic medallists Abbey Willson, William Martin, Lottie Lodge and Daisy Thomas.”

“I have no doubt all 47 athletes will return home with treasured memories and will be able to look back fondly on their time here in Gangwon as they continue to progress in their athletic careers.”

14-year-old Peyton Bellamy-Martins, who was selected for her enthusiasm, positive spirit and leadership qualities demonstrated throughout the Games, said it was an honour to be selected as Flag Bearer.

“I never thought I would be leading the Australian Team into a closing ceremony, so I am really proud and honoured to be in this position,” Peyton said.

“I think it's a great opportunity to do something like this, in a completely new country and at such a huge competition, I think it is going to be really fun!”

“A lot of us have performed really well at these Games,” she continued.

“Some of us have placed and produced our personal best performances, some of us not quite. But I think it's still really great that we were able to come here, compete on the world stage and experience the Youth Olympic Games.”

Wrapping up his Youth Olympic campaign today in the mixed relay cross-country, Victoria’s Clancy Merrick Harvey said he is excited to march alongside Peyton into tonight's closing ceremony and believes they will represent the country well.

“It is a big honour, and I am feeling really excited about leading the team alongside Peyton,” Clancy said.

“I also think it's a great thing for my sport to be selected as Flag Bearer. It’s great to have this recognition and I hope it will help put cross-country on the map for people back home in Australia.”

Clancy was selected not only for his tremendous effort on the slopes, but for being a strong support for his teammates and for his eagerness to learn from Olympic role models at the Games.

“I am really proud of the whole Australian Team here in Gangwon,” the 17-year-old said.

“To come away with three medals, I think that is amazing and a reflection of good things to come in the future in winter sport.”