In his mind, Australian team flag bearer Brenden Hall is just an average guy doing his best ahead of the upcoming Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
The Bachelor of Physiotherapy and Elite Athlete and Performer Program student will be one of four Australian Catholic University undergraduates or alumni competing at the Games which commence on August 28.
Brenden will be joined by Melissa Tapper (table tennis), Celine Vinot (para badminton) and Shae Graham (wheelchair rugby).
Watching in the stands will be his wife Brittany and their two-year-old son Bodhi.
The swimmer was selected as a flag bearer for the opening ceremony after an illustrious career that has seen him rise from a rookie of the Australian team in Beijing 16 years ago to its most senior member.
“When that opportunity came around I wasn’t going to say no,” Brenden said of carrying the Australian flag.
“To know that I’ve been included in a handful of living legends to have carried the flag at an opening ceremony is pretty special. I’d rate it as one of the highest honours I’ve received.”
Brenden is a titan of the Australian Paralympic movement. He made his Paralympic debut as a 14-year-old, and across the next two decades has earned multiple gold medals, world championships, world records and Commonwealth Games titles.
After the opening ceremony his attention will switch to his pet event, the 400m freestyle, followed by the 100m backstroke and 100m butterfly.
“I’m still coming to terms with the fact I’m going to be (carrying the flag),” he said. “Because I’ve always seen myself as the everyday athlete giving it his best.
“To know I am in that level where I’m respected by a lot of peers is pretty special.”
