Team USA flagbearers for Paralympics selected. Meet the gold medal athletes who were chosen.

Two former gold medalists will carry the US flag Paralympics opening ceremony next week.

Steve Serio, who helped the USA wheelchair basketball team to gold medals in the last two Paralympic Games, and Nicky Nieves, who helped Team USA win its first sitting volleyball gold in 2016, were selected. It was announced by the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee on Friday.

“I’m overwhelmed and honored,” Serio said. “I never thought this would be something I would experience in my career. I want to say thank you to all the Team USA athletes.”

A five-time world champion, Serio co-captains the 2024 basketball team along with Trevon Jenifer.

“Being the flag bearer for Team USA means that all my hard work was not in vain,” said Nieves. “I get to represent the country that made me who I am, with the best of the best American athletes by my side.”

The opening ceremony of the Paris Paralympics will be held over the Place de la Concorde and the Champs Elyssés on Wednesday.

The flag bearers were chosen by votes from other US Paralympic athletes. The American contingent consists of 225 athletes and guides.