Ellie Marks Named Team USA Flagbearer for Paralympics Closing Ceremonies
Swimmer Ellie Marks was named the female flagbearer for Team USA at the Paralympics Closing Ceremonies on Sunday.
Marks will join wheelchair basketball player Paul Schulte in the honor at the ceremonies, which begin Sunday at 2:30 p.m. ET at Paris’ Stade de France.
Marks and Schulte were chosen by a vote of Team USA athletes via the Athletes’ Commission. It’s the same pathway that elected Katie Ledecky to the same honor at the Paris Olympics last month.
Marks is in her third Paralympics. The S6/SM6 swimmer has won six silver medals at these Paralympics, including in the S6 women’s 100 backstroke on Saturday, the final day of competition at the Paris La Defense Arena. Marks, a native of Prescott Valley, Arizona, is a 10-time Paralympic medalist. She won individual gold in the SB7 100 breast in Rio in 2016 and the S6 100 back in Tokyo. Seven of her medals are individuals, with two relay silvers from Paris included.
“It’s an absolute honor to carry our nation’s colors, be nominated by this incredible team and get to represent our community,” Marks said in a USOPC press release. “Sport has saved so many lives, mine included. Long before the idea of medals we all fell in love with the camaraderie and fun of these sports. I hope Closing Ceremony can be a celebration of that love – for sport, for each other and for our nation.”
“I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to our incredible flag bearers who will lead the U.S. delegation in the Closing Ceremony of the Paralympic Games,” said USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland. “Ellie and Paul represent the very best of Team USA—athletes who exemplify strength, dedication, and the unwavering spirit that defines these Paralympic Games. Carrying the flag is a tremendous honor, and in doing so, the flag bearers symbolize the collective efforts of every athlete, coach and supporter who made this journey possible.”
Marks is the third swimmer to earn this honor at the last six Paralympics, joining Trischa Zorn in Athens in 2004 and Brad Snyder at the London 2012 Games.