There is no greater honor for a para-sport athlete than to carry their nation’s flag at a major games.

U.S. goalball player Asya Miller said she “got the chills” when her fellow athletes selected her for the task at last Saturday’s opening ceremony of the Parapan American Games in Guadalajara. Miller, from Portland, Oregon, is legally blind due to Stargardt’s Disease and is a three-time Paralympian.

Dave Durepos, of Fredericton, New Brunswick, told the Reporter that he was “elated and very surprised”  to be awarded the honor. The two-time Paralympic gold medallist said there is  no feeling in the world like representing one’s country at an international multi-sport event. “This  team is like my second family. I’m with them just as much time as I am with my immediate family. The networks and friendships you make along the way mean so much.”

The rousing opening ceremony at the Telmex Athletics Stadium on Sunday kicked off eight days of sport involving 1,500 athletes from 24 nations. During the ceremony, Octavio Londoño, president of the Americas Paralympics Committee, pointedly  laid down a challenge to the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games and the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Paralympics to ensure athletes from all 42 regional Pan American nations are involved.  The Guadalajara games end Sunday, November 20.