A Vancouver Island swimmer got to be one of the flag-bearers for this year’s Paralympic Games.
The Canadian Paralympic Committee says Nicholas Bennett was one of two flag-bearers for the Games closing ceremony on Sunday, with Brianna Hennessy being the second.
Bennett, originally from Parksville, won three Para Swimming medals during the games. The first was a silver medal in the men’s 200 metre free freestyle S14, followed by two gold medal wins in the men’s 100 metre breastroke SB14 and men’s 200 metre individual medley SM14.
Bennett says being a flag bearer is a monumental occasion.
“Being able to hold the flag and represent all the athletes that have competed is just another level of amazement for me that I have been able to achieve at these Paralympics,” said Bennett.
The committee says his wins not only make him the first male swimmer to win multiple gold medals at a single Paralympic Games in 20 years, but also the first to win three medals since 2012.
Team Canada finished with 29 medals overall in the games, with 10 gold, 9 silver, and 10 bronze.
