Brenden's pride at top Paris honour

Pictured: Brenden Hall and Madison de Rozario at yesterday's announcement of the Paralympic team's flag bearers.

Brenden Hall is “over the bloody moon” after being named as one of Australia’s two flag bearers for the Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony in Paris.

In his fifth and final Paralympics as a swimmer, Hall has been chosen with track star Madison de Rozario to carry the nation’s flag on August 28.

“I remember being a youngster and watching Brendan Burkett do it [at Sydney 2000],” said the 31-year-old, who grew up in Petrie and went to Pine Rivers State High School.

“That’s when I realised ‘Hey, I’ve got a shot at something here. Let’s have a go at it’. It’s an image that’s always been in my mind.

“I’ve always looked up to the athletes that get up there and carry the flag out there for us. Not once, in my mind, did I ever think I’d reach that status.

"To be in amongst such an awe-inspiring legendary status crowd is amazing. Hopefully I can do our team proud, our country proud, family and friends.

“There’s an immense amount of pride being able to represent Australia, so being asked to carry the flag, I’m over the bloody moon.”

Hall, who trained at Redcliffe, Lawnton and Burpengary before joining the Paralympic Hub on the Sunshine Coast, made his Paralympic debut in Beijing, as did de Rozario.

Four years later he was a three-time medallist at London 2012, with gold, in the 400m freestyle S9 and the 4x100m freestyle relay 34 points. 

More gold followed in the 400m at Rio 2016 and, though not adding to his six Paralympic medals in Tokyo, Hall earned his place in Paris and will equal the swimming team record of five Paralympics. 

de Rozario won a silver medal in the 4x100m T53/54 at Beijing 2008, won two more medals in Rio and took her maiden Paralympic titles at Tokyo 2020, in the 800m T53 and the marathon T54. 

Chef de Mission Kate McLoughlin, who chose the flag bearers, said selection was difficult in a team with “many leaders, incredible role models and brilliant sportspeople”

“That’s just an indication of how highly regarded Brenden and Madi are within and beyond the Australian Paralympic Team,” she said.

“They have achieved extremely highly in their personal sporting endeavours, they’ve been key members of Australian teams over many years and each has made a big impact in bringing Paralympic sport to the attention of millions of Australians.

“The Paris Paralympics is shaping up to be a spectacular event and the Opening Ceremony, at Place de la Concorde and the Champs-Elysées will be truly memorable.

“I’m so proud of Madi and Brenden for all they’ve done to reach this moment. I congratulate them on being named as our Australian Paralympic Team flag bearers."

The announcement was made at a ceremony hosted by the Governor-General, Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, at Admiralty House with Federal Minister for Sport Anika Wells and Australian Sports Commission CEO Kieren Perkins.

Also there were Australian Paralympic Team co-captains Angela Ballard and Curtis McGrath, Paralympics Australia President Alison Creagh AM CSC and representatives from Paralympics Australia’s partners, member organisations and sporting partners.

Athletics and swimming have delivered 939 of Australia’s 1205 Paralympic medals – just under 80 percent – dating back to the first Games in Rome in 1960.

Not since 2008, has an athlete from either sport been named as a flag bearer.