Katarina Roxon Named One of Canada’s Paralympic Flagbearers
Swimmer Katarina Roxon was named one of Canada’s flagbearers for the Opening Ceremonies of the Paris Paralympics on Tuesday.
Roxon, 31, is a native of Kippens, Newfoundland. She is appearing in her fifth Paralympic Games, the first Canadian to achieve that. She debuted in 2008 when she was the youngest swimmer in the Canadian delegation to Beijing and won her first medal in Rio in 2016 with gold in the women’s SB8 100 breaststroke. She added a bronze medal in Tokyo in 2021 in the women’s SB8 400 freestyle relay. She was fourth in the 100 breast in Tokyo.
“I don’t think it’s actually set in yet,” Roxon said in a press release. “When I was told about this, I was super excited that I would even be thought of among all the amazing athletes that Canada has. To see where I started out from, little baby Katarina in 2008 at the Games to now here at my fifth Games as a well-versed veteran, to be named as one of the flag bearers is such a huge honour and a huge privilege.”
Roxon will be joined by male flagbearer Patrick Anderson, who is in his sixth Paralympic Games. The 45-year-old wheelchair basketball player made his Paralympic debut in 2000 and helped Canada win gold in 2000, 2004 and 2012 around silver in 2008.
Roxon will start her competition in Paris on Aug. 30 in the SB8 100 breast. She will also race the SM9 200 individual medley.
The Opening Ceremonies of the Paris Paralympics will commence on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. ET.
“Katarina and Pat are both such deserving recipients of this honour,” said Karolina Wisniewska, co-chef de mission, Paris 2024 Canadian Paralympic Team. “With nine previous Paralympic Games appearances and six Paralympic medals between them, they are among Canada’s most accomplished Paralympians ever. Beyond their undeniable athletic achievements, they have been leaders on their teams for so many years, making a huge impact on the development of their sports and Para sport as a whole.”