Bethel native Frank Del Duca Jr. will be one of Team USA’s two flag bearers during opening ceremonies at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.

Del Duca, who will pilot one of Team USA’s two-man and four-man men’s bobsled teams, will carry the flag alongside women’s speedskater Erin Jackson. The two will lead Team USA’s record contingent of 232 athletes at the Parade of Nations ceremony Friday at San Siro Olympic Stadium in Milan, Italy.

“Being flag bearer for Team USA is an incredible honor,” Del Duca said via a text message to the Press Herald. “It was also quite the surprise. I’m grateful for the support from my teammates, coaches and staff, Team USA, U.S. Army, (World Class Athlete Program), family and friends, and everyone who has helped me on this journey.

“With the Olympics being held in Italy, it means even more. Nearly everyone in my family is of Italian descent. There is no greater honor than leading Team USA into the opening ceremony at an Italian Olympics. It feels like a bridge between my family’s heritage and the country. I know my grandfather is watching over me proud and saying, ‘Hey Frangesch, way to go kid.'”

The 34-year-old Del Duca, ranked fourth in the World Cup bobsled standings for two-man teams, is competing in his second Winter Games. He placed 13th in both the two-man and four-man events in China in 2022.

Del Duca, a 2009 graduate of Telstar Regional High School in Bethel, is a sergeant in the U.S. Army.

Del Duca is one of four Mainers competing in the Winter Olympics. Also representing the Pine Tree State are Nathan Pare (Bethel/Farmingdale, snowboardcross), Sam Morse (Carrabassett Valley, downhill skiing) and Emily Fischnaller (Falmouth, luge).

The opening ceremony will be broadcast at 1:40 p.m. Friday on NBC, Peacock and NBCOlympics.com. A primetime rebroadcast can be seen on those networks at 8 p.m.

Press Herald staff writer Steve Craig contributed to this report.