Madison de Rozario and Brenden Hall will be Australia’s flag bearers for Paralympics opening ceremony
Two standout athletes with five gold medals between them have been given the honour of carrying the Australian flag in the Paralympics opening ceremony in Paris.
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Madison de Rozario said representing Australia was “all I want to do” after the two-time Paralympic gold medallist was named with revered swimmer Brenden Hall as the flag bearers for the opening ceremony at the Paralympic Games in Paris.
A six-time Paralympic medallist, de Rozario called it a “full circle moment” for her and coach Louise Sauvage, who carried the flag into the stadium at Athens 2004.
“We walked out and, I don’t know who it was, but we all started singing Waltzing Matilda. It’s such a profound memory for us,” the track star said.
The announcement was made on Friday and De Rozario, who made her Paralympics debut as a teenager in Beijing in 2008, said being able to represent the entire team resonated strongly with her given the challenges every one of them had overcome to wear the green and gold.
“I love our Paralympic team because of who we are as athletes but also the personalities that we see come out of it, they are some of the best,” she said.
“Those post-race interviews, the interviews leading in, the integrity with which our Paralympians approach sport, it’s unlike anything else.
“To get to march out into the stadium representing that team, that’s all I want to do.
“I’ve seen the people who’ve done it before and it feels odd to be in that same space. Right now it feels like it doesn’t quite fit, but maybe when my career’s done it’ll make a bit more sense than it does right now.”
Hall, who made his debut at the same games as de Rozario and has gone on to win three gold medals, said it was a goal of his to carry the flag.
“I remember being a youngster and watching Brendan Burkett do it (at Sydney 2000),” he said.
“That’s when I realised ‘Hey, I’ve got a shot at something here. Let’s have a go at it’. It’s an image that’s always been in my mind.
“I’ve always looked up to the athletes that get up there and carry the flag out there for us. Not once in my mind did I ever think I’d reach that status. To be in amongst such an awe-inspiring legendary status crowd is amazing.
“Hopefully, I can do our team proud, our country proud, family and friends … There’s an immense amount of pride being able to represent Australia, so being asked to carry the flag, I’m over the bloody moon.”
Hall will equal the swimming team record of five Paralympic Games appearances in Paris.
While athletics and swimming have delivered 939 of Australia’s 1205 Paralympic medals, it’s the first time since 2008 an athlete from either sport been named as a flag bearer.
The Paris Paralympics opening ceremony will take place at Place de la Concorde and the Champs-Elysees on August 28.
Originally published as Madison de Rozario and Brenden Hall will be Australia’s flag bearers for Paralympics opening ceremony
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