Para-alpine skier Josh Dueck to carry the flag for Canada at the Closing Ceremony of the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia

SOCHI, RUSSIA, March 16, 2014 /CNW/ - The Canadian Paralympic Committee announced today that para-alpine sit-skier Josh Dueck has been selected as flag bearer for Canada at the closing ceremony of the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.

A double medallist in Sochi, Dueck won gold in the super combined and silver in the downhill. His Sochi performance brings his career Paralympic medals total to three, as he won a silver medal at the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Games. The 33-year-old from Kimberley, B.C. gained worldwide acclaim in 2012 when he became the first person in the world to complete a backflip in a sit-ski.

"I'm really excited, I couldn't be happier," said Dueck. "I really can't imagine what will go through my mind when we enter the stadium. What a great honor. I ski because I love to ski, but I compete for Canada, so to have an opportunity to bring the flag in for the closing ceremony is unbelievable."

Making the honor even more special for Dueck is the fact that he has never been to a Paralympic Games opening or closing ceremony before, due to his racing schedule.

"So this is my first time going to the big show and I get to carry the flag! It's awesome," Dueck said. "Our team rocked. We're skiing well. We met our targets. Tip of the hat to all our coaches and staff, it was cool to see a plan come to fruition."

"The selection of Josh Dueck as Canada's flag bearer for the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games closing ceremony was one reflecting the focus of our Canadian Team on performing in the moment," said Team Canada Chef de Mission Ozzie Sawicki. "Josh embraced this and certainly led by example throughout the alpine events at the Games. Canada can be extremely proud of the results from all of our Canadian athletes and I know Josh will lead our Canadian Paralympic Team into the closing ceremony with the pride representative of our entire team."

Dueck is coached by Jean-Sébastien Labrie and Brianne Law, along with Sven Pouliot, Jocelyn Huot and Lasse Ericsson.

PHOTOGRAPHY: Media are invited to visit photos.paralympic.ca and create an account to be able to download high-resolution photos of Canadian Paralympic athletes at any time, at no cost.

For full information about Team Canada at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Games, please visit paralympic.ca/team-canada.

SOURCE: Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC)

Kelsey Verboom
Media attaché, para-alpine
SOCHI cell: 011-7-938-454-3196
[email protected]

Alison Korn
Press Chief and para-snowboard media attaché
SOCHI Cell: 011-7-938-454-3162
[email protected]

Martin Richard
Executive Director, Communications & Marketing
Canadian Paralympic Committee
SOCHI cell: 011-7-938-454-3179
[email protected]

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