ParalympicsGB Flagbearers Revealed: Bywater and Shuker to Lead Team at Paris 2024
Terry Bywater and Lucy Shuker, two seasoned Paralympic athletes, have been chosen to carry the Union Flag at the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. The announcement marks a significant honour for both athletes, signifying their dedication and achievements within the Paralympic movement.
Bywater, hailing from Redcar, made his Paralympic debut at the Sydney 2000 Games at the tender age of 17. He has been a consistent presence on the British team ever since, participating in every Games and accumulating an impressive four bronze medals. This year marks a remarkable 25 years of his involvement in the sport.
Upon being informed of his selection as a flagbearer, Bywater, now 41, expressed his overwhelming emotion: "It's a dream come true - I feel quite emotional. 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. This is not just about me, 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."
The wheelchair basketball player reflected on his journey, stating: "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 - I'm very passionate about it, it's my life. But I also love ParalympicsGB, I've got fond memories of every single Paralympic Games going back to Sydney 2000. This is a genuine dream."
Shuker, a wheelchair tennis player, first represented ParalympicsGB at the Beijing 2008 Games. Her journey to becoming a flagbearer is equally inspiring. She secured her first medal at the London 2012 Games, winning women's doubles bronze alongside Jordanne Whiley. The pair went on to win another bronze at Rio 2016 and a silver at Tokyo 2020.
"To have that honour to lead ParalympicsGB out is incredible and something that I never thought I would do," said Shuker, at 44. "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."
She expressed her excitement about the ceremony: "Leading the parade down the Champs-Elysées and Place de la Concorde is going to be really different - eyes will be on me, but also the rest of ParalympicsGB. We are a big team and to be at the front of that is insane, incredible and an honour. The team is everything, we are all there to represent ParalympicsGB and bring back medals - so we will do it together."
Bywater and Shuker, both seasoned veterans with impressive accomplishments, represent the heart and spirit of ParalympicsGB. Their selection as flagbearers is a testament to their unwavering commitment to their sport and the Paralympic movement, and they will undoubtedly lead the team with pride and distinction at the Paris 2024 Games.
