TORONTO, Ont. – Canada’s Paralympic Team has officially been named. The announcement was made in Toronto, Tuesday.

The team will be led by Chef de Mission Gaétan Tardif of Toronto and Assistant Chef de Mission Elisabeth Walker-Young of Vancouver.

Dr. Tardif has been involved with the Paralympic Games since 2000 when he worked as a member of the Canadian medical team in Sydney. Walker-Young is a six-time Paralympic medalist in swimming.

The London 2012 Paralympic Games runs from Aug. 29 to Sept. 9, 2012, and Team Canada will have 145 athletes who will compete in 15 sports.

The announcement took place at 1 p.m. at Pearson International Airport, with Canada’s wheelchair basketball players making their way through the airport.

“This airport send-off is a great opportunity for the media and the public to meet several top Canadian athletes and coaches en route to the London 2012 Paralympic Games,” said Tardif.

“Team Canada heads to London with exciting medal potential, ready to do battle with the best in the world.”

He then paid tribute to the outstanding Canadians chosen for this Team.

“I know our athletes are totally focused on performing their best in  London,” said Tardif. “We are all committed to making London 2012 a  fantastic sequel to the Vancouver Games success story, one that will make all Canadians proud of their Paralympic athletes.”

Walker-Young said it was an honour to be named Assistant Chef de Mission.

“As a Paralympian, I’m honored to be trusted to help lead Team Canada and am proud to bring an athlete’s perspective to its management,” she said.

Minister of State (Sport),  Bal Gosal was also on hand to show support fot the athletes.

“On behalf of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Government of  Canada, I would like to offer heartfelt congratulations to all of the athletes who were named today to the 2012 Canadian Paralympic Team,” he said.

It was also announced that the partnership between the Canadian Paralympic Committee and Air Canada would be extended to 2016.

For the first time in Olympic Games’ 52-year history, London 2012 organizers believe it will be a sellout. So far, more than 2.1-million of the 2.5-million tickets have been sold.

For more information on the athletes and the games go to Paralympic.ca/london2012.