Two of Ireland's first-time Paralympians, Jordan Lee and Britney Arendse, will carry the Irish flag at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony on Tuesday.
The ceremony will be shown live on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player from 11.50am with highlights at 7pm.
A total of 4,521 athletes will compete at the Games over the next fortnight.
Swimmer Barry McClements will be the first Irish competitor in action when he competes in the 400m freestyle at 1am on Wednesday morning, just before Colin Judge starts his group stage match in table tennis.
The two flagbearers don't get going until Sunday 29 August when Lee's high jump event begins and Arendse attempts to make the podium in the para weightlifting.
"This came as the most pleasant of shocks when I was approached to be a flag bearer," said Cavan woman Arendse.
"This is a great honour and I know that my parents and all my neighbours and friends will be delighted when they hear the news. Now I can’t wait to get to the stadium and, along with Jordan, lead out my team-mates behind the tricolor."
Lee added: "This is honestly a dream come true. I did not expect this but I am truly embracing it. I actually got a little bit emotional when I was asked, I know that this will be a moment that will love forever and I can’t wait to get out there."
Paralympics Ireland Chef de Mission Neasa Russell hailed all of the Irish athletes as a massive two weeks looms.
"We are very proud to introduce Jordan and Britney as our official Team Ireland flag bearers. These are two young rising stars in their sports and they are very deserving of this opportunity.
"I know that they will perform this role really well and they will do their families, their communities, their country and themselves very proud."
21-year-old Britney Arendse from Mullagh Co Cavan is jetting off to Tokyo to represent Ireland in Powerlifting at the the 2020 Paralympics 👩🦽🏋️♀️ #teamireland #Paralympics pic.twitter.com/Hc0q88xywa
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) August 13, 2021
Read more:
RTÉ's comprehensive coverage of the Paralympic Games
Britney Arendse: The pride of Cavan on a Tokyo mission
Big ambitions for Team Ireland in Japan
Eamon Horan reports from Tokyo on the eve of the #Paralympics and gets the thoughts of @JordanpLee23 and @BritneyArendse who will be the flag-bearers for #TeamIreland at the Opening Ceremony #rtesport pic.twitter.com/y60782bLvw
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 23, 2021
