- Athletes honoured for historic performances at Paris Games
- McKeown achieved a feat never before accomplished in 128 years of Olympic Games
- Wearn also achieved a rare double after winning her event the hard way.
Both dominated on the water at the Paris Olympics and now gold medal winners Kaylee McKeown and sailing star Matt Wearn will get the party started as flag bearers at the closing ceremony.
They will lead the Australians on Monday from 5am AEST after completing huge personal achievements at the Paris Games.
McKeown made history at the Paris Olympics by defending the 100-200m backstroke gold medals she won at the Tokyo Games.
Only one other athlete in the 128-year history of the Olympic Games has completed the double-double: Ukraine’s Yana Khlockova, who won the 200 and 400m individual medley in 2000 and 2004.
She also became the first four-time individual gold medalist and, at just 23, there is more to come at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
It was a performance McKeown never dreamed of achieving.
“Not in a million years, while I’m growing up,” he said.
“I’ve always looked up to my sister and Emily Seebohm and seen what they do in the sport. I’ve also trained alongside Emma McKeon, one of the greats of the sport, and been friends with Mollie (O’Callaghan).
“To be honest, I couldn’t ask for much more. To have that motivation and to see those girls, not just the Australian girls, but the girls from all over the world. Women’s sport has been incredible this year and I’m grateful to be a part of that.”
Kaylee McKeown became the first athlete to defend dual titles in Olympic history
Wearn effectively had to win his sailing event twice after the first race was abandoned near the finish line due to wind conditions.
Wearn had to take the hard route to win his second gold medal in the men’s dinghy final after the first race was abandoned near the end, making him the first back-to-back Olympic champion in the event.
“I’ve been dreaming of a gold medal for a long time,” Wearn said.
“But for the last three years I’ve been dreaming of winning back-to-back titles again and it’s just phenomenal. The fact that no one else has done it before probably shows how special it is.
“And for me, being the first person to do that really moves me.”
Australian Chef de Mission Anna Meares said: “I am proud to select Kaylee McKeown and Matt Wearn as our Australian flag bearers for the Paris 2024 Closing Ceremony.”
‘Kaylee’s performances speak for themselves; becoming the first Australian to be a four-time individual Olympic champion is extraordinary.
‘Her results are exceptional, but her character, her personality and her charm really resonate with what makes this Australian Olympic team so special.
‘Matt has shown incredible resilience to defend his Olympic title. Understanding the challenges he has overcome to be here in Paris is a great testament to the athlete and person that Matt is.
“He is very humble, despite making Olympic history as the first man to win the laser class twice in a row.”
‘Congratulations to Kaylee and Matt, Swimming Australia, Sailing Australia and the family, friends, teammates and supporters who have helped this couple become the athletes and people they are.’
