Day 9 of the 2022 Beijing Winter Paralympic Games witnessed the final action from what has been a successful Games for ParalympicsGB.
Para Alpine Skiing
Neil and Andrew Simpson from Banchory finished in today’s Vision Impaired Men’s Slalom in 9th place to end an incredible Paralympic Winter Games. The brothers became the first British men to win a gold medal on snow with victory in the Super G and quickly followed that up with bronze in the Super Combined. To conclude a wonderful Gamed for the pair, it was announced that they would have the honour of being the ParalympicsGB flagbearers at the Games Closing Ceremony.
BREAKING: The boys from Banchory are announced as Great Britain's flagbearers for the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games closing ceremony today. ??
Congratulations, Neil and Andrew Simpson ??#WinterParalympics
— ParalympicsGB (@ParalympicsGB) March 13, 2022
Neil, who is the youngest member of ParalympicsGB squad at 19, said: “Confidence wise this is a huge boost for next season. Skiing wise we have showed what we can do.”
“Coming out to the Games was something pretty special anyway and then we wanted to try and enjoy it.”
“What I have learned is we have nothing to be afraid of at this level of competition. You have the hype and additional pressure but if you can put that to one side you can treat it as just another race.
Para Nordic Skiing
Scotland’s Scott Meenagh and Callum Deboys helped ParalympicsGB sign off from Beijing 2022 in style as they joined Steve Arnold and Steve Thomas to finish in 12th place in a time of 35:27.3 in the inaugural Cross Country Open Relay.
Speaking after the race, Scott said, “Having a relay team on the start line today and a relay team that didn’t include all the athletes we have on the ground is testament to the progression we’ve made.”
“We’ve come on aeons in such a short period of time, every other nation in the world has noticed it as well and it’s something we’re really proud of.”
As the 2022 Beijing Winter Paralympic Games come to a conclusion, ParalymicsGB can look back on a Games that produced outstanding performances and a final medal haul of one gold, one silver and four bronze medals. Scottish athletes not only made up 56% of the ParalymicsGB team at the Games but also won 50% of the medals with a gold and two bronze.