Two decorated athletes have officially been selected to be the Australian Paralympic flag bearers at the upcoming Paralympics Opening Ceremony.
Madison de Rozario, the track and marathon athlete, and Brenden Hall, the swimmer, will carry our nation’s flag at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony, which will take place on August 28.
They were selected for the honoured role by Chef de Mission Kate McLoughlin, and the announcement was made at a ceremony hosted by the Governor-General Samantha Mostyn at Admiralty House on July 11.
Anika Wells, The Federal Minister for Sport, Kieren Perkins, Australian Sports Commission CEO, Angela Ballard and Curtis McGrath, Australian Paralympic Team co-captains, and Alison Creagh, Paralympics Australia President, were among the guests at the ceremony.
Both Madison and Brenden were extremely honoured to be chosen as this year’s Paralympic flag bearers.
“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. 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 and that’s all we do as individuals, in the green and gold, competing,” Madison said of her selection.
“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,” she continued.
Brenden echoed Madison’s sentiments, saying:
“I remember being a youngster and watching Brendan Burkett do it [at the 2000 Sydney Paralympics]. 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.”
Both Madison and Brenden made their Paralympic debut at the 2008 Beijing Games.
So far in her career, Madison has won two gold medals, three silver and a bronze. She also currently holds the world record in the Women’s 800m T53.
Brendan has, so far, won three gold medals, one silver and one bronze.
