RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Veteran wheelchair basketball player David Eng (Montreal, Que.), a three-time Paralympic medallist, will carry the flag for Team Canada at the Opening Ceremony of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games today.Team Canada Chef de Mission Chantal Petitclerc announced Eng as flag bearer this morning in front of his teammates, praising his leadership and character, both on and off the court.
“David is an impact player on the court and is known for his aggressive and vocal style of play and his ability to make the players around him better,” said Petitclerc. “He is widely respected by both teammates and opponents and always maintains a positive attitude and passion for his sport. David is a true role model for all Canadians.”
The co-captain of the men’s national wheelchair basketball team, Eng will compete in Rio at his fourth Paralympic Games. He won gold in 2012 and 2004 and silver in 2008.
“I am really grateful for this amazing opportunity to carry the Canadian flag for my country at the Opening Ceremony in Rio,” said Eng. “Being selected as the flag bearer at my fourth Paralympics is the highest honour I could receive for dedicating my life and heart to the Paralympic movement. This means so much to me because I truly believe Canada to be a world leader in celebrating diversity and inclusion, and in supporting athletes with a disability in high performance sport. Go Canada go!”
David Eng’s full bio can be viewed at http://paralympic.ca/david-eng
Eng and the men’s wheelchair basketball team begin competition against Spain on Sept. 8 at 9:30 p.m.
ABOUT TEAM CANADA IN RIO: Canada has a team of 162 athletes competing in 19 sports at the Paralympic Games, Sept. 7 to 18. For more information visit: http://paralympic.ca/
About the Canadian Paralympic Committee: www.paralympic.ca