Paralympics GB swimming legend Ellie Simmonds has been selected alongside archer John Stubbs to carry the flag for the team during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics opening ceremony on Tuesday.
Simmonds and Stubbs are both veterans of the summer Games, having both made their Paralympic debuts at Beijing 2008.
Simmonds becomes the first women since 2000 to carry the flag for Paralympics GB, while Stubbs is the first British archer ever to do so at either the Olympics or Paralympics.
Stubbs is also the eldest member of Team GB's travelling party in Japan, inspirationally still competing at the age of 56.
Simmonds was just 13 years old when she competed at Beijing, where she started her incredible haul of eight medals including four golds.
Now 26, she said of the honour: "I'm hugely honoured to carry the flag on behalf of all the athletes, support staff and for the entire nation back home.
"To go the Paralympic Games and be given the opportunity to do that is just amazing.
"This will be my first opening ceremony. Just to be here in Tokyo is amazing but to carry the flag is the icing on the cake and I can't wait for the competition to start."
Stubbs was equally emotional about having the opportunity to lead out the team. He said: "It's an absolute honour to be representing ParalympicsGB as flag bearer alongside Ellie.
"For any elite athlete to go to the Games and be bestowed this honour is a privilege. Words can't describe what it means to me.
"It's been a torrid year - unfortunately I lost my Dad in January. He was my biggest fan, and hopefully if he's looking down on me, he's there saying, 'do it for the Stubbs family John, you've earned it and you deserve it'.
"I know my family will be as proud as punch."
Stubbs won Paralympic gold in 2008 in the individual compound event, and followed that achievement with a bronze medal in the team event in Rio five years ago.
Penny Briscoe, Paralympics GB's chef de mission, was keen to praise the duo who have represented the team impeccably during their respective careers.
Briscoe said: "Both Ellie and John exemplify what it means to be a ParalympicsGB athlete. Their excellence on the field of play as well as their integrity, leadership and commitment to the team is something very special.
"I have no doubt that by their example they will inspire the whole of the team to achieve great things over the coming 12 days of competition."
