Canadian Paralympic athletes Natalie Wilkie and Mark Ideson have been honored as the flag bearers for Canada during the closing ceremony of the Milan Cortina Paralympics, as announced by the Canadian Paralympic Committee on Saturday. This recognition highlights their remarkable achievements and contributions to the Canadian team during the Games.

Natalie Wilkie, hailing from Salmon Arm, British Columbia, has had an impressive performance in her third Paralympics, where she has already secured four medals: two gold, one silver, and one bronze. As of now, she still has one event to compete in—the Para cross-country 20-kilometer race scheduled for Sunday morning. At only 25 years old, Wilkie has amassed a total of 11 Paralympic medals in her career, comprising five gold, three silver, and three bronze medals. Notably, she is the first Canadian athlete ever selected to serve as both the opening and closing ceremony flag bearer at the same Paralympic Games, a significant milestone in her career.

On the other hand, Mark Ideson, from London, Ontario, has recently led the Canadian wheelchair curling team to victory, clinching the gold medal with a 4-3 win over China. This triumph marks Canada’s first gold medal in wheelchair curling since 2014, reaffirming the strength and skill of the Canadian team. Furthermore, Canada has achieved a historic feat in this tournament by becoming the first country to complete the entire competition undefeated, a testament to their excellence and teamwork.

The selections of Wilkie and Ideson as flag bearers serve not only as recognition of their individual accomplishments but also symbolize the collective spirit and resilience of the Canadian para-athlete community. Their performances and the pride they bring to Canada inspire future generations of athletes and enthusiasts alike.