Rio 2016 Paralympics: Brad Ness to lead Australia Paralympic Team as Opening Ceremony flagbearer
Australian men’s wheelchair basketball team captain Brad Ness will carry the flag on behalf of the 178 Aussie para-athletes competing in Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Paralympic Games that will kick off Wednesday night in Brazil.
The 41-year-old was named the Australian flagbearer at the Rio 2016 Paralympics Opening Ceremonies set at the Macarana Stadium. Ness joined the Rollers in 2000 for the Paralympic Games in Sydney.
Introducing the Australian flag bearer for the Rio 2016 @Paralympics Opening Ceremony... @BradNess15 #WeBelieve pic.twitter.com/JhrCKJHXvy
— AUS Paralympic Team (@AUSParalympics) September 5, 2016
Being given the honour made Ness speechless.
"I'm pretty speechless, I'm so honoured to have this bestowed upon me," he said.
"I thought I'd experienced every bit of emotion the Games could bring - from winning finals to losing them, and not getting to the finals - but this is completely different. It's something I'll remember for the rest of my life.”
2016 Australian Paralympic Team composition
The Australian Paralympic Team is composed of 178 athletes competing across 15 sporting events for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games that runs from Sep. 7 through 18. At least 4,350 para-athletes from 160 countries will compete over the 11-day Paralympic Games.
According to 2016 Australian Paralympic Team Chef de Mission Kate McLoughlin, Australia has won 350 medals since the Paralympic Games was introduced in Rome, Italy, in 1960.
The Governor General of Australia, Peter Cosgrove, paid a visit to the Rio Athletes Village to personally cheer on the Australian Paralympic Team before the Paralympic Games kick off.
The Opening Ceremony of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games will be broadcast live on 7TWO at 7 a.m. in Australia on Thursday, Sep. 8.
WATCH: Brad Ness shares feeling about being named as Rio 2016 Australian Paralympic Team flagbearer [video]
