Terry Bywater and Lucy Shuker chosen as Flagbearers by ParalympicsGB teammates
Decorated Athletes will Lead GB team at the Opening Ceremony
Wheelchair basketball player Terry Bywater and wheelchair tennis player Lucy Shuker will be the British Flagbearers at the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games tomorrow evening.
Experienced stars of their sports, Bywater and Shuker are preparing to compete at their seventh and fifth Games respectively. They boast seven paralympic medals between them.
The decorated duo will carry the Union Flag at the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, heading up the procession of athletes from Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
ParalympicsGB announced the news today after Bywater and Shuker were voted into their roles by their fellow ParalympicsGB teammates.
Basketball veteran Terry Bywater, who competed at his first Games in Sydney aged 17, said “It’s an honour, a dream come true to be carrying a flag at the biggest sporting event in the world. I get goosebumps thinking about what’s going to happen tomorrow.”
For Tennis star Lucy Shuker, the appointment came as a welcome surprise: “I was absolutely shocked. No way in a million years did I think I’d be the flagbearer.”
“It’s a dream come true for any Paralympian to have the honour of leading out your team. For it to be me, it’s a huge honour and I’m massively humbled.”
Penny Briscoe, ParalympicsGB’s Chef de Mission for Paris2024, said she was “absolutely delighted” to announce the appointment:
“Their selection underlines just how much both athletes epitomise the Paralympic values that we as a team are so proud of.”
Tomorrow’s Opening Ceremony starts at 7pm BST and will see Paralympic athletes from around the world parade down the Champs-Elysées to Place de la Concorde.
UK coverage will be available on Channel 4 from 6.30pm.