Team Canada names flag bearers for Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU Summer Games

RHINE-RUHR, Germany – Team Canada has announced its flag bearers for the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU Summer World University Games, set for July 16 to 27 in the German cities of Bochum, Duisburg, Essen, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Hagen and Berlin. 

Olympian Emma O’Croinin of Edmonton will carry the Canadian flag in Berlin, where swimming events take place from July 17 to 23. In Essen, Victor Lai of Scarborough, Ont., will serve as Canada’s flag bearer ahead of the badminton competition from July 17 to 26. 

“We are extremely excited to announce our flag bearers for the 2025 FISU Summer Games,” said Team Canada Chef de Mission Karla Karch. “Both Emma and Victor have outstanding athletic careers and are so deserving of this honour. I’m thrilled for them and look forward to seeing them lead Team Canada into these Games.” 

O’Croinin, a fourth-year kinesiology student at tUBC, competed for Canada at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where she helped the national team to a fourth-place finish in the 4x200-metre freestyle relay. She has also represented Canada at three World Aquatics Championships and the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile. 

A consistent Academic All-Canadian, O’Croinin won silver in the 400m freestyle and bronze in both the 200m freestyle and 4x200m freestyle relay at the 2019 World Junior Championships. She claimed gold in the 4x100m freestyle relay and bronze in the 4x200m freestyle relay at the 2023 Pan Am Games. 

At the university level, O’Croinin was a six-time medallist at the 2025 U SPORTS national championship and played a key role in helping UBC capture the team title. She was named U SPORTS Swimmer of the Year in 2022-23, and both U SPORTS and Canada West Rookie of the Year in 2021-22. 

“I’m extremely honoured to be selected as Canada’s flag bearer for this year’s FISU Games,” said O’Croinin. “It is always a privilege to represent Canada, and having the opportunity to carry the flag is an incredible honour. I can’t wait to compete alongside all of my teammates over the next few weeks and see the results of all the hard work that every athlete has put in to be here.” 

Lai, a third-year health studies student at York, enters the Games as the reigning Pan American men’s singles champion and a two-time Canadian national champion. He recently earned a silver medal at the 2025 YONEX Canada Open, part of the HSBC BWF World Tour 300, where he upset world No. 2 Kodai Naraoka of Japan in a 98-minute semifinal marathon. The result propelled Lai up 23 spots in the BWF world rankings. 

Earlier this season, he also reached the quarterfinals of the 2025 YONEX U.S. Open. 

At the OUA level, Lai has been named both an all-star and Rookie of the Year. In 2023, he helped York capture its first conference banner since 1999, earning tournament MVP honours. 

Off the court, Lai is known for his humility, leadership, and character—qualities that make him an outstanding ambassador for Team Canada. He is a respected figure within his club, university, and community, and exemplifies what it means to compete for Canada with pride. 

"I'm extremely honoured to be named Canada's flag bearer at this year's FISU World University Games," said Lai. "I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to represent our country and to lead such a talented group of Canadian student-athletes."