Team Great Britain flagbearers announced for Paris 2024 Paralympics Opening Ceremony

The Paralympic Opening Ceremony cannot come fast enough and the details only enhance the excitement. From the dance ensemble that includes 20 performers with disabilities to the parade down the Champs-Elysees, the kick-off for the Paralympic Games is promising to be an inspiring spectacular.

The latest details to emerge are another example. The ParalympicsGB website has just released the names and details of the two athletes who will be bearing the flags for Team Great Britain.

Chef de Mission for Team GB, Penny Briscoe shares her excitement over the choice:

"Their selection - which was voted for by their teammates - underlines just how much both athletes epitomise the Paralympic values that we as a team are so proud of...Their dedication and commitment to their sport,, matched with their positive attitudes and enthusiasm to support those around them makes me immensely proud."

- Penny Briscoe

Lucy Shuker

44-year-old Lucy Shuker has been a fixture of wheelchair tennis at the Paralympics since representing Great Britain at Beijing in 2008. In her five Paralympic appearances, she has won bronze medals in women's doubles at London 2012 and Rio 2016. It was at Tokyo 2020 that she and her partner, Jordanne Whitey, took the silver medal in the event.

Shuker is an intense and accomplished athlete, but was all smiles in the video posted by Briscoe where she was informed that 80% of her teammates had voted in her favor.

"To have that honor to lead that honour to lead ParalympicsGB out is incredible and something that I never thought I would do. To qualify for my first Paralympics in Beijing was an achievement in itself - but to come to my fifth Paralympics and now be a flagbearer is a real dream come true.""

Speaking of what is to come from ParalympicsGB, she also said that "The team is everything, we are all there to represent ParalympicsGB and bring back medals - so we will do it together."

Terry Bywater

At the age of 17, Terry Bywater made his Paralympic debut at the Sydney 2000 games. He has been at six Paralympics since then and won four bronze medals in the wheelchair basketball event.

Bywater shared a special significance related to this Paralympics experience:

"This is my seventh Games. I actually wear the number seven vest too - so this is all a bit crazy right now. To be honest, carrying the Union flag it hasn't sunk in - I'm just super, super proud...Going to Sydney as a 17-year-old kid, I never thought I'd make two Games never mind seven. I kept on going because I just love Wheelchair Basketball."

- Terry Bywater

He is very mindful of his role within the larger Games, saying that "this is for the 215 athletes that are here, all the staff, my family, my wife, my son, my family that have passed away that always followed me - I'll be doing it for everyone."

We look forward to seeing these exceptional athletes and their 213 teammates on August 28.