Paris 2024: ‘Are you serious?’: Shock, tears, as Aussie flag-bearers revealed

Chef de mission Anna Meares received mixed emotions when she rang two of Australia’s best and most resilient Olympians asking to be our flag bearers in Paris, but there was one thing the athletes had in common, pride.

Sailor Matt Wearn shed tears and pool queen Kaylee McKeown was in shock after the duo were told they would carry the Australian flag at the Olympic closing ceremony in Paris.

McKeown successfully defended her individual 100m and 200m backstroke Olympic while Wearn became the first man to defend his Olympic dingly title.

McKeown was sharing a family holiday in Croatia when chef de mission Anna Meares rang to ask her to follow the likes of Ian Thorpe, Dawn Fraser, Stephanie Rice and Petria Thomas as swim stars who became flag bearers.

Wearn continues a recent run of sailors being given the honour with Mat Belcher carrying the flag at Tokyo three years ago and Malcolm Page doing so in London (2012).

Former champion cyclist Meares has chosen two sportspeople in her own image ... hard yakka heroes.

Both are resilient campaigners who, just like Meares, have overcome significant challenges to dominate their events.

Matt Wearn was brought to tears by the offer to be flag bearer. Picture: Getty Images

McKeown’s father Sholto died of brain cancer just before the Tokyo Olympics while Wearn was a narrow omission from the Rio Games in 2016 and had long Covid and other health issues to overcome between his gold medals.

“I never thought I’d be given this opportunity and will truly remember this for the rest of my life,’’ McKeown said. “I’m a proud Australian and thrive off representing the green and gold.

““When Anna asked the question I responded “are you serious?”

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McKeown said her mother Sharon was sitting close by and was stunned as well.

“Mum goes “Wait, what ya kidding”. Everyone was just completely in shock.

“They were obviously extremely proud. There are so many athletes that deserve the same honour and opportunity.

Chef de Mission Anna Meares. Picture: Adam Head

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I couldn’t be more thankful.’’

Wearn said he too was taken aback to be asked to carry the flag.

“I wasn’t expecting to have this honour and I’m just really humbled and excited to represent Australia this way on the biggest stage,” he said.

“What a Games we’ve had, our most ever gold medals. To be able to do this for the wider Australian Olympic Team is really special.”

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Wearn’s wife Emma, an Olympic sailor for Belgium, has joined him in Paris.

“We’ve had a few tears. We both know what it means to represent our country, and how much of an honour this is. There’s a few tears shed, it’s still sinking in. Emma keeps repeating it, that I’m going to carry the flag, but it doesn’t seem real

yet.”

Kaylee McKeown had another fantastic games. Picture: Getty Images

Meares lauded McKeown’s “character and charm’’ and Wearn’s resilience as she chose them ahead of a stellar field including fellow swimmer Cam McEvoy, pole vaulting gold medalist Nina Kennedy and retiring swim great Emma McKeon.

“Kaylee’s performances speak for themselves,’’ Meares said.

“Her results are exceptional, but her character, her personality and her charm really resonate with what makes this

Australian Olympic team so special.

“Matt has shown incredible resilience to defend his Olympic title. Understanding the challenges he has overcome to be here in Paris is a great testament to the athlete and person Matt is. He is very humble, despite making Olympic history as the first

man to win the laser class back-to-back.’’