September 28th, 2004

Chantal Petitclerc chosen as the Canadian Flag bearer at Closing Ceremony

ATHENS –On Tuesday morning during a convivial ceremony to honour the medallists on the Canadian Team, Chef de Mission Louis Barbeau announced that Chantal Petitclerc, Montreal, Qué., was selected to carry the Canadian flag at the Closing Ceremony of the XIIth Paralympic Summer Games in Athens. Petitclerc earned five gold medals in all five events she competed in and broke three World Records and a Paralympic Record. She will carry the flag for a second time in career, as she was chosen by her peers to such honour at the Atlanta Paralympic Summer Games in 1996.

“Chantal Petitclerc has had the best Games of her life”, said Chef de mission Louis Barbeau. “Her performance and attitude has inspired the whole Canadian Team to strive for excellence throughout the Games. She truly is a great ambassador for the Paralympic Movement in Canada”.

“It is an honour to carry the flag after Chantal (Benoit). I had my best Games ever and carrying the flag is a great symbol of what I accomplished here”, said Petitclerc.

Chantal Petitclerc started the competition in establishing a new world record at the 100m qualifying event on September 20th, and broke it again 24 hours later during the final where she got her first gold medal of the Games. Gold then ensued in the 800m on September 22nd (Paralympic Record), in the 1500 m on September 24th (World Record), in the 400m on September 25th (World Record) and finally in the 200m on September 27th.