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A duo will lead the German Paralympics team to the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo at the opening ceremony on Tuesday (24.08.2021 from 12.50 p.m. in the Sportschau livestream). Wheelchair basketball player Mareike Miller and cyclist Michael Teuber were named as the flag bearers.
“It’s a beautiful moment and very special. I’m very happy,” said Miller, captain of the wheelchair basketball team. Teuber spoke of the “icing on the cake” on his career: “There is no greater honor than leading the team. It makes you feel cold.”
Athlete spokeswoman Miller before third games
The 31-year-old Miller from Hamburg is taking part in the Paralympics for the third time. In 2012 she won the gold medal with the German wheelchair basketball team in London. In the final against Australia she was the best thrower with 19 points. Five years ago in Rio, Miller’s basketball team won silver.
The Hamburg native described her sport as a “mixture of bumper cars and tactical team sport”. The nomination is “a special honor”. She does not feel the envy of her colleagues. “It would be a shame if others didn’t want that too,” said the 31-year-old: “But my team cheered me. They were happy.”
Sixth Paralympics start for Teuber
The 53-year-old Teuber has been driving at world-class level on the track as well as on the road for years and is hoping for his sixth victory at the Paralympic Games in Tokyo. “This is a crowning achievement. I am really happy. There is no greater honor,” said the man from Munich.
He had already speculated a little, he admitted. “I had that in the back of my mind because I am one of the experienced. Still, it was a pleasant surprise when I found out.” Only javelin thrower Martina Willing has more Paralympics experience than Teuber. The 61-year-old celebrated her Paralympic premiere in Barcelona in 1992 and is now experiencing her eighth games.
Rehm 2016 standard bearer
It is the first time that the flag has been carried by a woman and a man at the Paralympics. Had at Olympia Beach volleyball player Laura Ludwig and diver Patrick Hausding carried the flag into the stadium. Long jump world record holder Markus Rehm received this honor at the opening ceremony of the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro.