Matt Bush and Poppy Maskill to be Paris 2024 closing ceremony flagbearers for ParalympicsGB

ParalympicsGB is delighted to announce Paralympic champions and Games debutants Matt Bush and Poppy Maskill as the flagbearers for the British team at the Closing Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games on Sunday 8th September.

ParalympicsGB Chef de Mission, Penny Briscoe OBE said: “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.”

Bush claimed Para taekwondo gold in the men’s 80kg + class with a dominant 5-0 win in the final - victory was particularly special for the 35-year-old who was unable to compete at the Tokyo Games three years ago after injury ruled him out of the team less than a month before the Games got underway.

Prior to that, the Welshman had competed in Para athletics, throwing the javelin, but was thwarted in his quest to make the ParalympicsGB Para athletics squad for Rio 2016 after he injured his shoulder.

Bush said: “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.

“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.”

Maskill, who competes in the S14 Para swimming class for intellectually impaired athletes, claimed her first gold medal in the pool in the 100m butterfly, setting a world record in the process. That gold was also the first for ParalympicsGB at Paris 2024. The 19-year-old went on to win golds in the 100m backstroke S14 and the 4 x 100m freestyle mixed relay as well silvers in the 200m freestyle and 200m individual medley.

Maskill, who is ParalympicsGB’s most successful multi-medallist of these Games said: “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.”