Montreal swimmer Benoit Huot named Canada's flag bearer for closing ceremonies at Para Pan American Games

“There were a lot of choices and I?m surprised and honoured to get picked”, said Benoit Huot after being named Canada?s flag bearer for the closing ceremonies of the 2007 Para Pan American Games.

RIO DE JANEIRO ? Benoit Huot of Montreal, who won seven swimming medals at the Para Pan American Games, was named Canada?s flag bearer for Sunday?s closing ceremonies which concluded the week-long multi-sport event for athletes with a disability.

“There were a lot of choices and I?m surprised and honoured to get picked,” said Huot, a quintuple Paralympic Games champion in 2004.  “I think it?s a reflection of the great performance our swimming team had at the Games.”

Canada?s swimmers collected 85 of the country?s 112 medals at the Games with 41 gold ? 25 silver and 18 bronze.

Huot earned gold in the 100 breaststroke, 100 backstroke and 200-metre individual medley and silver in the 100 butterfly, 100 freestyle, 400 freestyle and 50 freestyle.  He broke the world record in the 200 IM.

These were the first Para Pan Am Games to quickly follow and b e hosted by the same city at the Pan American Games.  The same process has been in order for the Olympics and Paralympics for several years.  Huot said this week?s Games were a success.

“They were super, there wasn?t much to complain about,” said Huot.  “The city wanted to make a strong impression for its 2016 Olympic Games bid and I think it did that.  I hope we can repeat this experience in four years.”

The 2011 Pan American Games are scheduled for Guadalajara, Mexico.