Cameron Leslie and Anna Grimaldi have touched down in France, ready to lead New Zealand athletes down the streets of Paris to kickstart the 2024 Paralympics.
The pair spoke to 1News sports reporter Victor Waters ahead of tomorrow morning's opening ceremony.
“It’s really cool to be sharing it with Anna and we’ll be going through with a smile on our face, laughing and representing NZ with pride just enjoying the moment,” Leslie told 1News.
Para swimmer Leslie is representing New Zealand at his fourth Paralympic Games, and has won gold in the men's 150m individual medley three times.
“I’m really looking forward to leading the team out there and getting amongst an opening ceremony that’ll be like none of the others I’ve been to.”
Like the Paris Olympics, the 2024 Paralympics won't hold its opening ceremony inside a stadium - athletes will instead parade along the streets of Paris.
Cameron Leslie and Anna Grimaldi spoke to 1News ahead of tomorrow morning's opening ceremony. (Source: 1News)
Leslie is confident the New Zealand Paralympic team can perform strongly in Paris, with some of the athletes setting season bests and personal bests in the lead up to the Games.
“I think Paralympic sport has got to that point now where small margins will be the difference and hopefully our Kiwi guys and girls can hit those small margins and win.”
Grimaldi said she was emotional when she was asked to be the flag bearer alongside Leslie.
“It’s a nice nod to my career and how I've progressed as an athlete but also as a person in the last few years, really excited to be a part of the team but also to lead them as well,” she said.
Grimaldi took home gold in the women’s long jump T47 at both the Rio and Tokyo Games. She set a Paralympic record in Tokyo with a jump of 5.76m.
The 27-year-old said she hadn’t been with the team for long but it feels like a family already. New Zealand has 25 Paralympians competing across eight different sports in Paris.
The athletes will travel down a section of the Champs-Elysees, with accessibility being a main focus. A thin layer of asphalt has been added over the traditional cobblestones to make the journey easier for wheelchair users.
The athletes will end up at the Place de la Concorde with organisers expecting 50,000 spectators will be able to watch the ceremony in Paris, and over 300 million watching from around the world.
Watch the Paris 2024 Paralympics live with TVNZ+, and on TVNZ1, from August 29-September 9. The opening ceremony will be live on TVNZ1 from 5.55am tomorrow.
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