At a poolside ceremony at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre, which last weekend hosted the Can Am Para-swimming Championships, Walker-Young revealed the hosts' team will feature a host of stellar names, including 19-time Paralympic medallist Benoit Huot.

Sydney 2000 double Paralympic champion Adam Purdy has made the side after a seven-year hiatus, while young sensation Aurélie Rivard, who won silver at London 2012, will also feature in what looks a strong Canadian squad.

Qualification is ongoing across the nation and the full team will be unveiled in July.

"It was such an honour to announce the nominations for the Toronto 2015 Parapan Am Games swim team this morning," Walker-Young, herself a three-time Paralympic gold medallist, said.

"It is truly a highlight moment in an athlete's career and I can still remember who I was standing next to and what I was wearing on the pool deck when I found out I had made the team for the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games.

"It was very special this morning to see the faces of the athletes as they heard their names.

"I know they will all be ready to swim fast and help our Canadian Parapan Am Team achieve our goal of finishing in the top three nations."

London 2012 Paralympic gold medallist Benoit Huot leads a strong Canadian swimming team for the Parapan American Games in Toronto ©Getty Images



The list features 24 men and 16 women and the team will be led by Swimming Canada Para-swimming national head coach Craig McCord, as well as Para-swimming performance coach Vince Mikuska.

The swimming team was the first of 14 Canadian sides to be announced for their home Parapan American Games, which start on August 7 and run through to August 15.

"The team this summer is made up of 25 swimmers who will also compete at IPC World Championships in Glasgow and have the potential to compete for medals at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games," McCord added.

"We are working in a number of areas to develop our next generation of athletes identified as 2020 podium potential, and they will have the opportunity to compete at Parapan Ams on home soil."

To see the full team click here. 

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