Australia to announce Paralympic flag-bearer
AUSTRALIA will reveal its Paralympic flag-bearer tomorrow, with the figurehead chosen for their excellence both on and off the sporting field.
LONGEVITY and selfless support of Australia’s Paralympic family will be two of the key criteria when the chiefs tomorrow unveil the nation’s flag-bearer for Thursday morning’s opening ceremony.
Australia’s athletes will be welcomed by Governor-General Peter Cosgrove at a reception inside the village to reveal which of the 177 competitors will carry the flag into Maracana Stadium for the parade of nations to launch the 2016 Paralympics.
Unlike the Australian Olympic team, the Paralympics squad has saved its announcement until the eve of the ceremony.
Wheelchair marathon veteran and the long-time public face of Australian Paralympics Kurt Fearnley has already been honoured with co-captaincy of the 177-member unit alongside team heartbeat Daniela Di Toro.
Chef de mission Kate McLoughlin said core values of long-term dedication to sporting success would balance with commitment to pushing the profile of the Paralympics movement.
“Longevity of Paralympic athletes comes into it, as well as achievements,” McLoughlin said.
“But we’re focused heavily on being part of a family and making sure the person who is the flag bearer represents the entire team and that feeling of family.
“It’s also what they’ve done for the Paralympic family outside of sport. That’s really important, because it’s not just about them, it’s about being selfless enough to build awareness outside of their own performances.”
McLoughlin would not confirm whether the athlete selected had previously held the flag-bearer honour.
Several Australian athletes and teams will miss the opening ceremony to concentrate on day-one competition starting hours later.
The men’s wheelchair basketball team the Rollers, considered a strong gold-medal hope, will miss the march along with Di Toro, who begins her table tennis pool matches.
Originally published as Australia to announce Paralympic flag-bearer
Dynamic duo: Aussies name Para leaders
AFTER a horror crash in Sochi Joany Badenhorst wondered if her dream of competing in a Winter Paralympics was over before it began.
Madison comes up roses at world titles
WHEELCHAIR racer Madison de Rozario showed timing is everything as she raced off with gold and silver in a successful 24 hours at the Para-Athletics world titles in London.
Teen ‘over the moon’ with second world title
SCHOOLGIRL Isis Holt was surprised when she won her first world title this week. Now the teen is “over the moon” after picking up another - along with a world record.