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Australian Paralympic Team Chef de Mission Kate McLoughlin has selected triathlon and cycling gold medallist Lauren Parker and athletics dual gold medallist James Turner to carry the national flag at the Paris 2024 Closing Ceremony on Sunday night (Paris time).
An expected 120 Australian athletes will enjoy the huge party at Stade de France after 11 days of competition in which our team of 160 athletes excelled, finishing ninth on the medal table.
“It’s a massive honour and a privilege to be asked be a flag bearer. I never would have dreamed that I would ever be asked,” Parker said in an interview with Nine.
“Not many people get this opportunity so it’s a great honour.”
Parker was beaten in the final moments of her PTWC triathlon race by American Kendall Gretsch at the Tokyo Paralympics but swept to victory in Paris, ahead of Gretsch. Parker also set the goal of winning in cycling, which she did, capturing gold in the road race H1-4 after winning silver in the road time trial H1-3.
“It’s a dream come true to achieve what I have at these Games,” Parker said.
“I set a goal back when we did Tokyo that I wanted to get the gold medal at Paris. I’ve worked so hard for the last three years, I’ve been through a lot and, just to be here with two golds and a silver, I couldn’t ask for anything more.”
Parker said she enjoyed being a role model.
“Whether you’ve got a disability or not, if you really want to do something, anything is possible,” she said. “If you set those goals, nothing can stop you.”
Turner was equally encouraging. Similarly to Parker, Turner was determined to gain redemption after a frustrating outcome at Tokyo 2020 when he made a mistake at the start of the 100m T36 and finished with silver.
After successfully defending his 400m T36 crown in Paris, Turner produced a stirring comeback in the 100, coming from fifth place with about 30 metres to run to finish first in front of his nemesis Deng Peicheng of China.
“I’d love to see more kids getting into sport,” Turner said.
“I think Paralympic sport does a great deal of good, not just for disability awareness, but the health of people with disabilities. I think you’ve got to keep moving and to have an avenue for that for young kids is absolutely vital.
“The medal is a piece of gold that hangs around my neck. But, to change your life, to pursue improvement, I think, is fantastic.”
Australian Paralympic Team Chef de Mission Kate McLoughlin said Parker and Turner were exemplary athletes.
“Lauren and James are two prime examples of the incredible determination and resilience that runs through every member of the Australian Paralympic Team,” McLoughlin said.
“They both left Tokyo 2020 with particular objectives in mind for Paris 2024, they each applied themselves completely to the task and both achieved their goals.
“Sporting performance is important, but equally important is the way we represent Australia and the Paralympic movement more generally – and Lauren and James have done so brilliantly, showing courage and humility throughout their time in Paris.
“It’s time now for all our team members to relax and enjoy and start to reflect on what they’ve achieved here at the Games and what they’ve contributed to Australia’s Paralympic Games story.”
The Closing Ceremony starts at 8.30pm (4.30am AEST) on Channel 9 and 9Now.
By: David Sygall, Paralympics Australia
Published: 8 September 2024
