Photo: Jack Felling/ NBC Sports

dwayne johnson

Dwayne Johnsonwill be kicking off theBeijing Winter Olympicswith a special message for Team USA.

“Our athletes representing Team USA at this year’s Winter Olympics are some of the most talented and determined men and women in the world,” Johnson says in a statement.

“They have dedicated their lives to their sport, pushing through injuries and personal setbacks, training through the toughest of conditions, to rise up and join the elite who have the opportunity to represent their country in the most iconic competition in the world,” he continues.

“It’s my honor to once again be asked to participate in the presentation of the Opening Ceremony. And on behalf of our country, I will proudly introduce our U.S. Olympians to the world as they take that first step of defining their legacy,” Johnson adds.

The 2022 Winter Olympics opening ceremony will take place on Friday at National Stadium, or “The Bird’s Nest,” in Beijing. John Shuster, a five-time Olympic curler, and Brittany Bowe, a three-time Olympic speed skater, will carry the American flag during the Parade of Nations. (Bowe was tapped toreplace elected flag bearerElana Meyers Taylor in the ceremony after Taylor tested positive for COVID-19.)

The U.S. Olympic team will have a delegation of 223 athletes.

For the first time, there will be full-day coverage of the Opening Ceremony on NBC with its first-ever live morning presentation that will begin at 6:30 a.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.

Then, the network will air an “enhanced primetime presentation” of the Opening Ceremony later that same day beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

To learn more about all the Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls, visitTeamUSA.org. Watch the Winter Olympics, beginning Feb. 3, and the Paralympics, beginning March 4, on NBC.

source: people.com