Swimming sensation Poppy Maskill and taekwondo gold medallist Matt Bush have been named as Great Britain's flag bearers for the Paris 2024 Paralympics closing ceremony.
Nineteen-year-old Maskill - making her Paralympics debut - won GB's first gold medal of the 2024 Games in the Women's 100m butterfly S14, smashing the world record with a time of 1:03.00.
The teenager added another two Paralympic titles to her CV in the 100 m backstroke S14 and Mixed 4×100 m freestyle relay S14, while also clinching silver medals in the 200 m freestyle S14 and 200m individual medley S14.
Despite her status as GB's most successful multi-medallist of the Paris Games, Maskill has challenged herself to go two better at the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympics, where she hopes to win five gold medals.
"I've won five medals in Paris, the butterfly was my favourite as it was my first Paralympic medal and a world record. Next time I really want to win five golds. I've had a really amazing time and I can't wait to carry the flag," Maskill told the ParalympicsGB website.
Maskill's fellow flag bearer Bush also enjoyed his Paralympics baptism in the French capital at the age of 35, and the Welsh-born taekwondo athlete conquered the men's +80kg K44 competition for his maiden Games gold.
Already a two-time world champion in the event from 2019 and 2023, Bush defeated Russian Aliaskhab Ramazanov - competing as a neutral athlete - 5-0 in the final, completing his long-awaited quest for a Paralympic gold.
Introducing your ParalympicsGB Paris 2024 closing ceremony flagbearers: @mattbush1 and @MaskillPoppy!#ParalympicsGB 🇬🇧#Paris2024 #Paralympics pic.twitter.com/KGkjEmInWS
— ParalympicsGB (@ParalympicsGB) September 8, 2024
Bush: 'Carrying GB flag is an unbelievable honour'
The Pembrokeshire-born Paralympic champion previously competed in athletics, but a shoulder problem prevented him from going to the Rio 2016 Games, before his Tokyo 2020 dreams were crushed by another injury.
"It's an unbelievable honour to represent not only the athletes in my sport but across all the 19 sports in ParalympicsGB. Everyone has performed so well and it's been so fantastic to be here, I'm just super happy," Bush added.
"It's been such a fantastic experience, coming together as one big team and having the opportunity to spend time together with athletes from other sports.
"ParalympicsGB is such a close-knit team it is extra special that I can carry the flag on behalf of everyone. It's an unbelievable way to finish my first experience of a Paralympic Games."
GB's Paralympics Chef de Mission Penny Briscoe also hailed Maskill and Bush's contributions outside the pool and taekwondo arena, adding: "Poppy and Matt have not only excelled in their sports at their first ever Games, delivering amazing performances for ParalympicsGB – they have been fantastic team members off the field of play too.
"They have thrived in the Paralympic Village and supported their team mates throughout, exemplifying the team spirit and values that ParalympicsGB as a team is so proud of. Competing for the first ever time at a Paralympic Games is a momentous occasion for anyone, and I'm delighted to see Poppy and Matt take it all in their stride.
"They will now be able to add to their fantastic memories of Paris 2024 with the honour of carrying the Union flag for ParalympicsGB at the Closing Ceremony this evening."
The Paris 2024 Paralympics closing ceremony will be held at the Stade de France from 7.30pm until 10.30pm UK time.
Ben Knapton
