Swimmer Bennett, canoeist Hennessy to carry Canadian flag at Paralympic closing ceremony

Paralympic medallists Nicholas Bennett and Brianna Hennessy will carry the Canadian flag during Sunday's closing ceremony in Paris.

Bennett, a swimmer, won Canada's first gold medal in Paris — one of three total medals he's headed home with, also including another gold and a silver.

The 20-year-old from Parksville, B.C., who has an intellectual impairment, became the first Canadian male swimmer to win multiple golds at one Games since 2004.

Hennessy, a Para canoeist, took silver in her first race on Saturday and can reach the podium again in her final event on Sunday.

The 39-year-old from Ottawa only took up her sport during the pandemic. After failing to reach the podium at Tokyo 2020, she'll return home from Paris with her first Paralympic hardware.

"What a remarkable honour to be chosen to lead so many phenomenal heroes across our nation that have powered through so much adversity," she said.

"Together, we are a symbol of an incredible celebration of our abilities in motion. We are one heartbeat, that I would describe as a magnificent phoenix rising up from the ashes, whose courage soars past all obstacles in its path – its feathers shimmering with bright Canada red and white feathers in its wings.

Canada's 126-athlete team is trending towards one of its best medal hauls in recent Paralympic Games.

Swimmer Katarina Roxon and wheelchair basketball player Patrick Anderson carried the red Maple Leaf into the opening ceremonies.

Wheelchair racer Brent Lakatos of Dorval, Que., was Canada's flag-bearer for Tokyo's closing ceremonies three years ago. He won a gold medal in the 800 metres in Paris.

CBC's live coverage of the closing ceremony from the Stade de France, starting at 1:50 p.m. ET (10:50 a.m. PT), will be hosted by