[ad_1]
– Para alpine skier captured gold and silver medals in Beijing
– 22-year-old now has six career Paralympic podiums
– Closing Ceremony to air live on CBC/Radio-Canada on March 13 at 8 a.m. ET / 5 a.m. PT
BEIJING, March 12, 2022 /CNW/ – Para alpine skiing star Mollie Jepsen (West Vancouver, BC) has been named Canada’s Closing Ceremony flag bearer for the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games, the Canadian Paralympic Committee announced today.
Jepsen was Canada’s first medallist in Beijing, winning gold in the downhill on day one of competition. The 22-year-old, who was born missing fingers on her left hand and skis with one pole, added a silver in the giant slalom on Friday to bring her current career total to six Paralympic medals, two of each colour.
“It’s an honour of a lifetime to be able to be the Closing Ceremony flag bearer at these Games,” said Jepsen. “Over the last four years things have been really challenging and coming into these Games I was unsure of where I would stand and how it would go. I was able to stand on the podium just like in 2018 but to be able to represent all of the athletes who have done so amazing here and competed their hearts out at the Games feels amazing, and it’s an honour I will cherish for the rest of my life.”
It has been a hard-fought journey for Jepsen to be able to compete in Beijing. Four years ago, she made her Paralympic debut at age 18 and was Canada’s breakout star, winning four medals – a gold, silver, and two bronze. She also captured the country’s first medal in PyeongChang and was named Canada’s Best Female Athlete following the Games.
Shortly after those Games, she was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and missed the entire 2018-19 season as she managed her new illness. She returned the following year, but had her comeback cut short with the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A leader on Canada’s national Para…
[ad_2]
