Canada will be bringing 162 athletes to the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, the Canadian Paralympic Committee announced on Monday.
The Paralympics will feature two new sports, para-triathlon and para-canoe.
The team will be led by swimmer Benoit Huot, one of the most decorated Paralympians Canada has ever produced.
In four previous Games, the 32-year-old Saint-Lambert, Que., swimmer won 19 medals — nine gold, five silver and five bronze.
He was chosen Canada's flag-bearer at the closing ceremony of the London Games in 2012.
Canada's future in the pool remains strong, with 2014 female para-swimmer of the year Aurélie Rivard leading the charge.
The 20-year-old, who captured silver at the 2012 London Paralympics, broke through in 2015, winning two gold medals at the IPC world championships. A month later, the St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., native cleaned up at the Toronto Parapan Ams by winning five gold medals.
"Congratulations to this entire group of dedicated, world-class athletes and coaches who have worked relentlessly to earn the honor of representing Canada in Rio," said chef de mission Paralympic Hall of Famer Chantal Petitclerc.
"I know that our Canadian contingent is prepared, focused and ready to take on the challenge of Team Canada's performance goal of placing in the top 16 nations in the total medal count."
Team Canada's oldest athlete is 59-year-old table tennis player Stephanie Chan from Vancouver, while the youngest athlete is 13-year-old swimmer Danielle Doris, of Moncton, N.B.
There are also seven Canadian athletes recently added through quota spots as a result of Russia's ban from the Rio Paralympics.
They include: swimmers Camille Bérubé (Gatineau, Que.), Zack McAllister (Lethbridge, Alta.), Jean-Michel Lavallière (Quebec City) and Danial Murphy (Bedford, N.S.); wheelchair fencer Mathieu Hébert (Valleyfield, Que.); and road cycling tandem Shawna Ryan (Saskatoon) and pilot Joanie Caron (Rimouski, Que.).
The Games, which will be streamed live on CBCSports.ca, begin with the opening ceremony on Sept. 7 and run through Sept. 18.
Nine-time gold medallist Benoit Huot leads Canada's Paralympic team in Rio
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