Anna Grimaldi Photo: Drew Chislett / www.photosport.co.nz
It is less than 24 hours from the opening ceremony of the 17th Paralympic Games.
A team of 25 New Zealand athletes is in Paris and although the country's greatest Paralympian won't be there - the 11-time gold medallist Dame Sophie Pascoe - hopes are high for success.
Like the Olympics, the opening ceremony won't take place at a stadium but will be staged in central Paris - at Place de la Concorde - a giant public square.
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The Kiwi flagbearers are Dunedin athlete Anna Grimaldi and Auckland swimmer Cameron Leslie.
The two-time long jump gold medallist said she was very excited.
"It's quite emotional being asked. I got to see Cam just before and had a bit of a chat. I think we're both really honoured and excited to lead the team tomorrow night."
The welcome at the Games Village on Wednesday had been "beautiful" with a much different feeling to the Paralympics in Tokyo in 2021.
"It's been really nice to get together, be close to each other, talk to each other, share the same spaces and everyone is excited to be part of the team."
Anna Grimaldi is a two-time gold medallist in long jump. Photo: Dave Holland
Grimaldi who is embarking on her third Paralympics said every experience at a Games was different, however, she could move through the event with more confidence having done it before.
Her preparation had gone well and she was feeling positive.
Despite Pascoe's absence she was also feeling optimistic about the team's medal chances.
"It's those top two inches of whether you can get it together [on the day] but I'm feeling really positive about this team.
"Everyone seems to be really happy and I think people perform at their best when they're happiest so I'm hopeful."
