JOANY Badenhorst is struggling to find words. So instead, this Griffith snowboarder talks about seeing her dog again. And taking a bite of mum’s home cooking.
Hell, she even throws up a wonderful analogy that is inviting everyone to your birthday party — then that warm feeling when, hey, they all turn up.
“And carrying the Australian flag,” she says finally, “it’s all of that at once … amazing.”
Among Australia’s top three medal prospects at the 2018 Winter Paralympics, Badenhorst has also been selected to carry the flag into the opening ceremony.
At 23, she is the country’s first female Winter Paralympian to earn the honour. Better, she got told on International Women’s Day, too.
“Although I think I misunderstood three times,” she says of the conversation. “I was very taken aback.”
And as for what it all means?
“I think it’s like when you send out birthday invites, and you turn up and everyone actually showed up,” she laughs. “It’s that feeling.
“It’s the first bite of normal food when you get home. Or seeing your dog again.
“It’s all of that at once … it’s amazing.”
The Aussies have a 15-strong team (a dozen athletes and three sighted guides) competing in both snowboard and alpine skiing, with official competition beginning Saturday.
The Daily Telegraph was on hand as Badenhorst was unveiled as the flag bearer at a special ceremony inside the Athletes Village Thursday afternoon.
“And I’m still a little overwhelmed,” she said. “It’s an incredibly big honour.
“I don’t think people grasp what it means to an athlete to be able to carry their country’s flag into such an incredible event.”
Surprised?
“Very,’’ she added. “I had no clue my name was even in the hat to be drawn. Very taken aback.
“But for me it’s really, really special.
“Because the Paralympics is a celebration of the most incredible things. And carrying the flag, something every athlete aspires to.
“It really hits home what I’m doing, who I represent and why I’m here doing what I do.”