Mills,who plays for the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs,has been a fixture for the Boomers and emerged as an inspiring advocate and powerful voice for Indigenous Australians. He will be the first Indigenous Australian to carry the flag when he steps out at the head of the team on July 23.
Campbell,29,has rebounded from the depths of disappointment in Rio in 2016 to return to the top of her sport. Her story is one of grace and resilience and she has been courageous enough to share it with the sporting public,including a touching story of how theletters of two little girls helped inspire her to swim on to Tokyo.
Campbell was in Cairns with the Dolphins squad when Chesterman made the announcement live on television. The two-time gold medallist shed a tear as she heard the news and was presented with the flag that Fraser carried in the closing ceremony of the Tokyo Olympic Games in 1964.
“It’s always an honour to represent Australia at the Olympics but this year is even more special,” Campbell said.
“Twelve months ago,I wasn’t even sure if there would be an Olympics. The postponement threw up so many challenges for everyone.
“Leading the Australian team out for these Olympics carries extra significance. Every one of us,rookies and seasoned Olympians alike,have had to dig deep to earn a spot on this team and I am incredibly honoured to be leading us out.”