Gustavo Fernandez named Argentina’s flagbearer for Rio Paralympics

World No. 6 wheelchair tennis player will carry Argentina’s flag at the Opening Ceremony of Rio 2016, on 7 September. 11 May 2016

Gustavo Fernandez of Argentina in action in his match against Shingo Kunieda of Japan in Men's Wheelchair Singles - Semifinals during the Australian Open 2015 Wheelchair Championships

ⒸGetty Images

By IPC

“It excites me from the deepest part of my heart. I will proudly carry Argentina’s flag and enjoy it every minute.”

Gustavo Fernandez has been unanimously chosen to carry Argentina’s flag at the Opening Ceremony of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games at the Maracana Stadium, on 7 September.

The wheelchair tennis player, ranked No. 6 in the world, had a glittering 2015, winning Wimbledon’s doubles title and two gold medals at the Toronto Parapan American Games.

The 22-year-old is hoping to build on this momentum ahead of September’s Paralympics.

“This is a huge honour,” he posted on Facebook.

“It excites me from the deepest part of my heart. I will proudly carry Argentina’s flag and enjoy it every minute,” added Fernandez, who lost to France’s Stephane Houdet in the London 2012 quarter-finals.

“I have never imagined this and it is incredible. Saying that I am happy is not enough. This is too big. I simply like to thank you all.”

Swimmer Guillermo Marro was Argentina’s flagbearer at the London 2012 Paralympics.

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Sport fans from around the world can now buy their Paralympic tickets for Rio 2016 from authorised ticket resellers (ATRs).

The IPC’s Global ATR is Jet Set Sports, and Rio 2016 tickets and packages can be purchased on the CoSport website.

Residents of Brazil can buy 2016 Paralympics tickets directly from the Rio 2016 website.