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Orla Comerford and Colin Judge announced as Ireland flagbearers for Paralympics opening ceremony

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Orla Comerford will be one of Ireland’s flagbearers at the Paralympics opening ceremony on August 29

Para-table tennis player Colin Judge will be one of Ireland’s flagbearers at the Paralympics opening ceremony on August 29

thumbnail: Orla Comerford will be one of Ireland's flagbearers at the Paralympics opening ceremony on August 29
thumbnail: Para-table tennis player Colin Judge will be one of Ireland's flagbearers at the Paralympics opening ceremony on August 29

Paralympics Ireland have confirmed that Orla Comerford and Colin Judge will carry the flag for Team Ireland at the opening ceremony at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Comerford will compete in her third Paralympic Games after her debut appearance at the Rio 2016 Games.

The T13 100m sprinter has been in electric form of late dropping her personal best time below 12 seconds for the first time in her career. She will also compete this weekend in London as she continues her preparation for Paris.

Comerford is a European Championship bronze medallist and she finished in fourth place at the most recent World Championships missing out narrowly on a medal.

Para-table tennis player Colin Judge will be one of Ireland’s flagbearers at the Paralympics opening ceremony on August 29

Table Tennis star Colin Judge will be competing in his second Games and has been in fantastic form this season advancing to the later stage in several competitions including winning bronze at the European Championships and more recently silver at the Czech Open.

The opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will be held at the Place de la Concorde on August 29 marking the first time that the event will take place outside of the main stadium.

There are 35 athletes set to compete for Ireland at the Games across nine sports with the first of the athletes competing on August 29.

Speaking about the announcement of the Team Ireland flag bearers Chef de Mission, Neasa Russell said “I am delighted to announce that Orla and Colin will be the flag bearers for Team Ireland when we compete in Paris in less than two weeks.

“These two athletes epitomise the hard work and dedication it takes to be a high performance athlete. They have both achieved great things on the international stage and there is much more to come from both of them.

“Moreover they are great people and great leaders who perfectly demonstrate the qualities and values of Team Ireland and I know they will both be very positive role models for the team and for those watching at home.”

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