B.C.'s Bennett, Ont.'s Hennessy named flag-bearers for Paralympic closing ceremonies in Paris
Swimmer Nicholas Bennett and para canoeist Brianna Hennessy have been named Canada's flag-bearers for Sunday's closing ceremonies of the Paralympic Games in Paris.
The 20-year-old Bennett from Parksville, B.C., won two gold medals and a silver in his four races at the pool. Ottawa's Hennessy was the first Canadian to win a medal in para canoe with a silver Saturday.
“Being the flag-bearer is such a monumental occasion," Bennet said Saturday in a statement. “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.”
The 39-year-old Hennessy has a race remaining Sunday before she joins Bennett for the closing ceremonies at Stade de France.
“What a remarkable honour to be chosen to lead so many phenomenal heroes across our nation that have powered through so much adversity,” Hennessy said. “Together, we are a symbol of an incredible celebration of our abilities in motion."
With one day of competition remaining Canada's team of 126 athletes had compiled 29 medals, including 10 gold, in Paris.
Bennett, who is coached by his sister Haley Bennett-Osborne, won the 200-metre individual medley and 100-metre breaststroke and took silver in the 200-metre freestyle.
He competes in the S14 classification for athletes with intellectual impairment. Bennett was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at age three.
Para canoe made its Paralympic debut in 2016.
Hennessy was struck by a speeding taxi in Toronto at the age of 30. Tetraplegia from her broken neck impacted all four of her limbs.
She took silver Saturday in the women's VL2 Va'a, which is a canoe that has a support float and is propelled with a single-blade paddle.
Hennessy will also race the women's kayak single Sunday.
“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," said Karolina Wisniewska, who is Canada's co-chef de mission alongside Josh Vander Vies.
Swimmer Katarina Roxon and wheelchair basketball player Patrick Anderson carried the red Maple Leaf into the opening ceremonies Aug. 28 at Place de la Concorde.
Wheelchair racer Brent Lakatos was Canada's flag-bearer at the closing ceremonies three years ago in Tokyo. Lakatos won a gold medal in the 800 metres in Paris.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 7, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Freeland says she is 'not going anywhere' after Conservatives call her 'phantom finance minister'
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland declared she is 'not going anywhere' when pushed by the Conservatives on Monday about her future as finance minister.
'Never seen anything like this': Humpback whale catches unsuspecting seal off Vancouver Island
A Vancouver Island nature photographer says he has never seen anything like what his camera captured on a recent whale-watching excursion off Victoria.
First teen sentenced in Kenneth Lee case gets 15 months probation
The first teenager to be sentenced in the death of a Toronto homeless man will not face further time in custody, and instead participate in a community-based program.
Body recovered from B.C. lake after unclothed man leads investigators to crash site
Mounties are investigating a fatal crash north of Whistler, B.C., after an unclothed man who was found along the side of the road led police to a pickup truck submerged in a lake with one occupant still inside.
Mortgage loan rules are changing in Canada
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has announced changes to mortgage rules she says are aimed at helping more Canadians to purchase their first home.
A passing comet could shine as bright as Venus. Here are the best viewing times
This eye-catching celestial event is around the corner and will appear in the skies this fall.
Pipeline explosion near Houston erupts in a towering flame, forcing evacuations
A pipeline explosion near Houston erupted in a towering flame over neighbourhoods for hours on Monday, forcing evacuations and shelter orders and melting playground equipment as firefighters struggled to keep nearby homes from burning.
Singh challenged on carbon tax stance as MPs return to Ottawa
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh still won't say whether his party would scrap the federal carbon pricing program if elected, while Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is increasing his calls for the NDP to vote non-confidence in the Liberals and trigger a 'carbon tax election.'
'We don't have much time': Parliament's fall sitting begins with plenty of political posturing
The fall sitting of Parliament began Monday with plenty of political posturing given the new minority dynamics and the threat of an early general election looming overhead.