– A para-alpine skier won gold and silver medals in beijing
– The 22-year-old now has six career Paralympic podiums
– Closing ceremony broadcast live on CBC/Radio-Canada 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) had been named from Canada Flag bearer for the Closing Ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games, the Canadian Paralympic Committee announced today.
Jepsen was from Canada first medalist in beijing, winning gold in the downhill on the first day of competition. The 22-year-old skier, born with missing fingers on her left hand and skis with a pole, added a silver medal in the giant slalom on Friday to bring her current career total to six Paralympic medals, two of each color.
“It’s an honor of a lifetime to be able to be the flag bearer for the closing ceremony of these Games,” said Jepsen. “Things have been really difficult for the past four years and going into these Games I didn’t know where I would be and how it would be. I was able to get on the podium like in 2018, but to be able to To represent all of the athletes who have been so incredible here and who have competed with their hearts at the Games is incredible, and it is an honor that I will cherish for the rest of my life.”
It’s been a tough journey for Jepsen to be able to compete in beijing. Four years ago, she made her Paralympic debut aged 18 and was from Canada breakout star, winning four medals – one gold, silver and two bronze. She also won the country’s first medal in PyeongChang and was named from Canada Best female athlete after 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 her comeback was cut short with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A leader on from Canada national para-alpine skier, she was finally able to return to the slopes to compete with her teammates this season and reached the podium in her nine international races leading up to the Paralympic Winter Games.
Jepsen, who has been no stranger to injuries throughout her career including two torn ACLs and a broken ankle, has also raced in beijing with an injured ACL. She will have it repaired after the Games.
“Coming to these Games compared to 2018 was similar but different in many ways. I had a lot of difficulties right after the 2018 Games, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease about six months after the Games and took an entire season to deal with it and learn how to manage my new chronic disease . And then I went back to the circuit and COVID happened, so it’s been a very difficult and turbulent four years to say the least.
“This past season, the 2021-22 season starting in December when we came back to the circuit, has been really amazing and I’ve put all those struggles behind me and I’ve been lucky to be back in Europe and racing and competing with the team. I’m just very happy to be back at the Games and playing the way I hoped.”
Canadian fans can see Jepsen carrying the flag during Canada as the closing ceremony is broadcast live on CBC/Radio-Canada at 8 a.m. ET / 5:00 a.m. PT Sunday morning.
“Big congratulations to Mollie for being selected as from Canada flag bearer of the closing ceremony,” said Josh DueckChef de Mission, Canadian Paralympic Team Beijing 2022. “Mollie is a fantastic example of perseverance, resilience and the power of the human spirit. She has overcome so many challenges over the past four years and being here at beijing to run so well and get two medals is an incredible achievement. She is an incredible and passionate leader who loves her sport so much, and I look forward to joining her and the rest of Team Canada at the Closing Ceremonies as we celebrate an incredible Paralympic Winter Games. »
In addition to being broadcast live on television, the Closing Ceremony can also be streamed live on Paralympic.ca, the CPC YouTube channel, cbc.ca/beijing2022 and Radio-Canada.ca/jeux-paralympiques, the Free CBC Gem streaming service, Radio -Canada Sports app and CBC Sports app for iOS and Android devices.
The Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games began on March 4with Ina Forest and Greg Westlake share flag-bearing duties for the Opening Ceremony. Both athletes will return home with a medal, with Forrest winning bronze with the wheelchair curling team and Westlake dressing for Canada in the Para ice hockey gold medal game on Sunday.
The Canadian Paralympic Team, with 48 athletes competing in five sports, has currently won 23 medals with one day of competition remaining.
MEDIA RESOURCES: Resources for covering Canada’s Beijing 2022 Paralympic Team, including athlete biographies, flash quotes, photos and video packages, are available at Paralympic.ca/beijing-2022-media.
About the Canadian Paralympic Committee: paralympic.ca
SOURCE Canadian Paralympic Committee (Sponsorships)
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