Kane, 23, is one of the Australian team's medal prospects for 2010 after winning a bronze in the Super-G in 2006 on debut at the Torino Paralympics.

It was that effort at his first Paralympic Games that led the Australian Paralympic Committee to chose him as its Closing Ceremony flag bearer in Italy four years ago.

And leading into this weekend's Paralympics, Kane finds himself in pretty solid form evidenced by his results in World Cup meets in Italy and Austria last year and the USA just last week.

In fact during the 2009-2010 season, Kane has won six World Cup medals (2 silvers, 4 bronze) in three of the five Paralympic alpine events - Slalom, Super-G and Downhill.

Showing that kind of consistency is what gave Kane the honour of being flag bearer, according to Australia's Chef de Mission in Canada, Michael Hartung.

"Toby is a gifted, world class skier but also an outstanding ambassador for Australian Paralympic sport," Hartung said.

"His attributes as an athlete, and his ability to lead by example both on and off the snow, make him highly deserving of this honour."

Kane lost his lower right leg in a car accident when he was two and is one of Australia's 11 athletes and three guides competing in two sports alpine, cross-country skiing, in Vancouver from March 12-21.

He said he was completely stunned when told he'd been given the prestigious role for a second time.

"Turin was such a buzz for me but Vancouver is something different again. It's a step up from four years ago. Everyone in our sport has come a long way since then so it's a whole new challenge," Kane said.

``So to be given the honour of leading Australia into the Opening Ceremony is massive. We have an amazing team, but we know have a job to do here because we want to make Australia proud."

The Opening Ceremony featuring the 505 athletes from 44 countries - a Winter Games record - will be held in Vancouver's BC Place Stadium at 6pm local time on Friday (1pm Saturday AEDT).

Source - APC

tags: olympic, toby, kane, flag, bearer, opening, ceremony, paralympics, alpine, skiing, cross, country

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