CBC's Scott Russell Signs Off after Paralympics

Hennessy (left) and Bennett carrying the flag earlier today

The Paris Olympics started off with rain and perhaps it was fitting that the Paralympics ended today with precipitation as well in Stade de France. 

Canada's flag was carried by Paralympic medallists Nicholas Bennett and Brianna Hennessy in the closing ceremony.

Bennett, who has an intellectual impairment, won Canada's first gold medal in swimming, while Hennessy, a Para canoeist, was awarded silver. She only took up the sport during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Russell signs off from CBC after 40 years

Canada won 29 medals (10 gold, 9 silver and 10 bronze), which matched the country's performance in the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio.

Meanwhile China topped the medal tally with 220 medals (94 gold, 76 silver, 50 bronze), and Hong Kong did very well with 3 gold, 4 silver and 1 bronze.

For CBC Sports broadcaster Scott Russell, today was bitter sweet. After nearly 40 years with the Canadian broadcaster, he signs off after covering 16 Olympics, including six as host.

When he was in Beijing in 2008, I was very lucky to be one of the associate producers behind the scenes helping him and anchor Diana Swain when we aired live from the Broadcast Tower, a very narrow, tall building on the Olympic grounds.

Russell was so passionate about each sport and athlete, knowing all about their backgrounds and personal stories too. What a pro and sad to hear he's retiring.