Para swimming and Para canoe stars have combined for four medals, added their names to Canadian Paralympic record books with performances in Paris. Closing Ceremony to air on CBC/Radio-Canada live starting at 1:50 p.m. ET.
Para swimmer Nicholas Bennett (Parksville, B.C.) and Para canoe’s Brianna Hennessy (Ottawa, Ont.) have been named Canada’s Closing Ceremony flag bearers for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, the Canadian Paralympic Committee announced Saturday. The two athletes have combined for four medals in Paris, with Hennessy still to compete in one more event.
Bennett medalled in three of his four races – taking home two gold and one silver. The 20-year-old, competing at his second Games, started his Paris campaign with a silver in his first event, the men’s 200m freestyle S14. He then raced to the top of the podium in the men’s 100m breaststroke SB14 and 200m individual medley SM14 (setting a new Paralympic record in the final). He is the first Canadian male swimmer to win multiple gold medals at a single Paralympic Games since 2004 and the first to claim three medals since 2012.
“Being the flag bearer is such a monumental occasion,” said Bennett. “Being able to hold the flag and represent all the athletes that have competed is just another level of amazement for me that I have been able to achieve at these Paralympics.”
Hennessy created history in Paris by becoming the first Canadian to win a medal in the sport of Para canoe, taking silver in the women’s va’a single 200m VL2 earlier today. Para canoe debuted on the Paralympic program in 2016. She is not done yet in Paris, and is still set for the start line of the women’s kayak single 200m KL1 semifinals on Sunday morning. Hennessy, age 39, first started competing in the sport in 2020 and rose in the ranks quickly, making the Paralympic team for the postponed Tokyo Games. She has since hit the pinnacle of sport with her first Paralympic podium.
“What a remarkable honour to be chosen to lead so many phenomenal heroes across our nation that have powered through so much adversity,” said Hennessy. “Together, we are a symbol of an incredible celebration of our abilities in motion. We are one heartbeat, that I would describe as a magnificent phoenix rising up from the ashes, whose courage soars past all obstacles in its path – its feathers shimmering with bright Canada red and white feathers in its wings. Tomorrow we will celebrate being proudly Canadian as one big team.”
“We are so thrilled for Brianna and Nicholas and could not be prouder to have them represent Canada as flag bearers,” said Karolina Wisniewska, co-chef de mission, Paris 2024 Canadian Paralympic Team. “Their results in Paris speak for themselves, with Nicholas adding his name to Canada’s storied Para swimming history books and Brianna being a trailblazer for podium success in her sport. We cannot wait to be with them in the stadium at the Closing Ceremony and celebrate the entire Canadian Paralympic Team.”
“Congratulations to Brianna and Nicholas, who are so deserving of this honour,” said Josh Vander Vies, co-chef de mission, Paris 2024 Canadian Paralympic Team. “Their performances in Paris were so exciting to watch and were the result of so much dedication and commitment to their sports. Their success goes beyond the medals – they are outstanding individuals, a credit to their communities, and incredible ambassadors for Paralympic sport.”
Canadian viewers can watch Bennett and Hennessy carry the flag for the Canadian Paralympic Team live on CBC and Radio-Canada with Closing Ceremony coverage starting at 1:50 p.m. ET / 10:50 a.m. PT on Sunday.
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