A Sarnia native will carry the Canadian flag into the opening ceremonies of the Paralympics.
Priscilla Gagné competes in Judo and was named the country's flag bearer Saturday.
The Paralympics officially open on August 24.
In a release from the 2021 Canadian Paralympic Committee, Gagné says she dreamed about competing at the international level.
“It’s been my dream to compete in the Paralympics ever since I was a 10-year-old child and to be given the honour of flag bearer is beyond anything I could have imagined,” said Gagné, now 35. “For me it represents unity within diversity, it represents strength and resilience, and it represents a hope for something greater than what we have. I really hope that for kids living with disabilities, this inspires them to never stop dreaming, to never listen to somebody who tells them no, and to stand together with people who believe in them.”
While Gagné is originally from Sarnia, she is currently based in Montreal.
Gagné is currently ranked No. 2 in the world in the 52 kg category and is set to compete in her second Paralympic Games after finishing fifth in her debut at Rio 2016.
In 2018, she became the first Canadian woman to podium at the Para judo world championships, winning a bronze medal. She also has silver medals from the 2015 and 2019 Parapan Am Games.
Audiences across the country can tune in to the Opening Ceremony live on August 24, airing on CBC/Radio-Canada at 7 a.m. ET / 4 a.m. PT. The ceremony will also be rebroadcast in the evening.
The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games takes place from August 24 to September 5.
Canada will be represented by 128 athletes, including guides, competing in 18 sports.