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Meet Brad Ness, Australia's flag bearer for the 2016 Rio Paralympics

Roar Rookie
7th September, 2016
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The Australian men’s wheelchair basketball captain, four-time Paralympic Games representative Brad Ness, has been announced as Australia’s flag bearer at the 2016 Rio Games.

At the age of 18, Brad was in a boating accident which resulted in the gold medalist losing half of his right leg.

Brad made his Paralympic debut as a 25-year-old at the 2000 Sydney Games, and the Rollers have medalled at every Paralympics since.

At the 2004 the Aussies brought home silver, before going one step further and winning gold four years later at 2008, then another silver at London in 2012.

Brad joins a list of renowned Australian Paralympians to have the honour of carrying the nation’s flag.

Previous bearers
Seoul, 1988: Paul Croft, an arm amputee who competed in track and field events, as well as table tennis.

Barcelona, 1992: Terry Giddy, who won six medals at six Games.

Atlanta 1996: Libby Kosmala, who has represented Australia for shooting at every Paralympics, Rio will be her eighth Games.

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Sydney 2000: Brendan Burkett, who has won five medals at four Games.

Athens 2004: Louise Sauvage lit the cauldron during the opening ceremony in Sydney, and four years later carried the Australian flag. She is regarded as the most renowned disabled sportswoman in Australia.

Beijing 2008: Russell Short, who competes in athletics throwing, with Rio to be his eighth Paralympics.

London 2012: Greg Smith, a wheelchair rugby player, has won three gold medals in athletics, and one gold medal in wheelchair rugby.

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