When winter Paralympians from around the world gather in Sochi for a very old tradition, the youngest athlete there will be front and centre.
Fourteen-year-old Ben Tudhope, the school kid from Sydney whose charm on and off his snowboard has made international headlines, thought his first Games were over.
But Tudhope has one more very important job to do before he returns home to the classroom - carrying his country's flag at Sunday night's closing ceremony.
Tudhope is Australia's youngest-ever winter Paralympian and the youngest of the Sochi Games' 550 competitors from 45 countries.
The teenager said being rewarded with the honour was the icing on the cake in a debut Games that had already exceeded all expectations, including a top-10 place in para-snowboarding's Paralympic debut on Friday.
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"I never thought I would even come here - I thought I was way too young, but then I got a wildcard," he said.
"And I never thought in a million years I would get in the top 10 - that was incredible.
"And now this, it's amazing."
Tudhope, who was born with cerebral palsy that causes partial paralysis on the left side of his body, said Australian's Chef de Mission Chris Nunn had broken the news to him.
"I saw Chris and he was like, `mate, do you want to be flagbearer tonight?', and I was speechless."
Nunn said the Australian Paralympic Committee's (APC) decision to select Tudhope was a no-brainer.
"What he's done for the team off-field when we were struggling, the joy and happiness he brings has been incredible," Nunn said.
"It is such a privilege to have him part of this team."
Tudhope's parents Melissa and Andrew and one of his two sisters, Phoebe, will witness the historic moment in Fisht Stadium.
He said it would be a privilege to take his turn leading the national team after marching behind four-time Paralympian Cameron Rahles-Rahbula at the opening ceremony.
"Cam, Toby (Kane) and Michael Milton have all been some of my heroes," Tudhope said.
"I saw how excited Cam was and now I get to feel that."
