BRYONY PAGE spoke of her pride at being the first gymnast to be chosen as Team GB Flagbearer.
Poole-based Page, who completed the set of Olympic medals with gold in Paris, was chosen to lead the British delegation into the stadium for the star-studded Closing Ceremony at Stade de France.
The 26-year-old shared the honour with Alex Yee, who became the most decorated triathlete in Olympic history with two medals.
“When I got the call to tell me, I couldn't believe it, it truly is such an honour,” said Page.
“For a sport like trampolining, which is quite niche, it's quite amazing - and to be able to hold the flag for all of the Team GB Olympians here is incredible.
“It's a very emotional and proud moment - congratulations to every single athlete for their performances and how they have supported every other team member, it's such a special team to be a part of.
“To have won an Olympic gold at my third Games and now to be given this honour, it just caps the incredible experience that Paris 2024 has been for me.”
Page’s stunning gold added to her silver at Rio 2016 – where she became the first-ever Team GB medallist in her discipline – and bronze at Tokyo 2020.
She went on to be crowned world champion in 2021 and 2023 and now has an Olympic title to match.
Yee, meanwhile, bolstered his stunning swim, bike and run CV with individual gold and mixed relay silver.
“I'm really excited and honoured to be given the opportunity to be one of the Team GB flagbearers,” said Yee.”It means a lot to me.
“The Closing Ceremony is a key part of the Olympic experience and having not got to experience it in Tokyo, I wanted to come to it in Paris. So, to be able to go to it, first of all, was really special, but then to get the phone call to be asked to hold the GB flag was really, really special.
“There's been so many incredible performances over the last two weeks from Team GB, so to be selected as somebody who's represented Team GB well and made the country proud is really special.”
In total, Team GB won 65 medals at Paris 2024, equalling the tally from London 2012 (65 medals) in the all-time list and two behind Rio 2016 (67 medals).
They only finished seventh in the medal table, behind hosts France and the Netherlands.
“London was one of our most successful Games ever in terms of legacy and success,” said Yee. “If we’re achieving the same medals as that, I think that’s a hugely successful Games.
“The Games isn’t just about medal success, it’s also about inspiring a generation, people watching and just being excited about sport and falling in love with the Olympics.”
Aldi are proud Official Partners of Team GB & ParalympicsGB, supporting all athletes through to Paris 2024.
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