For the opening ceremony of the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games, which will take place on Friday, October 20, Team Chile will be represented by Kristel Köbrich and Esteban Grimalt.
Sport Minister Jaime Pizarro, Sports Undersecretary Antonia Illanes, and the President of the Chilean Olympic Committee attended the presentation ceremony. It is no secret that both athletes have enjoyed successful careers, winning dozens of medals on behalf of Chile.
Flag bearers
Kristel Köbrich
She has achieved important international achievements in long-distance events, including 800- and 1,500-meter freestyle.
In addition to competing at five Olympic Games, eleven World Championships, and eleven South American Games, she is one of Chile’s most decorated athletes.
It will be Kristel’s sixth Pan American Games after she takes part in Santiago 2023. Since making her debut in Santo Domingo 2003, Kristel has won five medals: one gold, two silver, and two bronze. She received the National Sports Award in 2009.
Esteban Grimalt
With his cousin Marco, he forms a highly successful beach volleyball duo in Chile. Their results in 2022 won them the National Sports Award. They won gold medals at the Asunción 2022 South American Games and the Gstaad Elite 16 tournament, both of which are part of the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour. Besides being ranked 8th in the world in 2022, the duo has also been selected twice for the Olympics: Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.
Their gold medal from Lima 2019 will be defended at Santiago 2023.
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