Wright was given the honour by Chef de Mission Jesse Teat at a team function attended by athletes and their families in Lausanne.
“Campbell is an enthusiastic and determined young athlete whose actions epitomise what it means to be a member of the New Zealand team,” Teat said.
“As well as being a leader in his sport, he’s dedicated to his studies and involved in his community.’’
Wright, a pupil at Mount Aspiring College, began cross-country skiing at a young age and started competing in biathlon in 2017.
He has been named Snow Sports New Zealand Cross-country Skier of the Year every year since 2016. Last week the young athlete won the Italian biathlon nationals in the under-19 category.
Wright said he was extremely proud to be chosen to carry the New Zealand flag.
“This is amazing. It means a lot to me and I can’t wait to get to lead our team and wave the flag at the opening ceremony.”
Wright arrived in Lausanne on January 7 and has been training for competition starting tomorrow.
“We’ve been at the athletes’ village and the competition venues and they’re looking great, so I’m expecting a really good couple of weeks,” Wright said.
“I’m excited to get out there and compete. It’s great to be mixing with athletes from all around the world and I’m sure the New Zealand team is going to put in performances we can be really proud of.”
The opening ceremony begins at 7am this morning.
Dunedin luge athletes Hunter Burke and Ella Cox are based in the satellite village of St Moritz where a separate opening ceremony is being held. Hunter will carry the New Zealand flag at that ceremony.
The Kiwi team has 20 athletes, aged between 14 and 18. Kiwi athletes will compete in nine different disciplines at the Games, which run till January 22 in Lausanne, and nearby in France.
About 2000 athletes from 73 countries are competing.
