Obstacles do not get in the way of Chantal Petitclerc. The epitome of determination, perseverance, and discipline, Petitclerc is the most successful wheelchair racer of all time, boasting multiple medals from all three of the world’s top athletic competitions: the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the World Championships, and the Commonwealth Games. Canada’s Lou Marsh Trophy winner for Athlete of the Year in 2008 and a Member of the Order of Canada, Petitclerc tells her incredible story to show others that challenges are simply a starting point for success.
At just 13 years old, Petitclerc lost the use of her legs following an accident. Four years later, she would discover wheelchair athletics, paving the way for a long and very successful career that saw her participate in five Paralympic and Olympic Games from 1992 to 2008. She retired after Beijing 2008 with a total of 21 medals — 14 of them gold — and 25 world records broken, making her the most celebrated track athlete in history as well as the only Canadian athlete to have won gold medals at the Olympics, Paralympics, and Commonwealth Games.
In 2012, Petitclerc became a coach and mentor to the UK track and field team at the London Paralympic Games. After her return to Canada, she was named Chef de Mission for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and was the Chef de Mission for Canada’s Paralympic Team at Rio 2016. Now a commentator for the games on CBC and Radio-Canada, Petitclerc remains active in the sport community.
Petitclerc also participates in projects for many Paralympic athletics and sports organizations. She has been a spokesperson for Défi Sportif AlterGo for 17 years and is an ambassador for Right to Play. In April 2016, Petitclerc was appointed by Prime Minister Trudeau as an independent member of the Senate. She is a Companion of the Order of Canada, a Knight of the Order of Quebec, the recipient of five honourary doctorates, and an inductee of the Canadian Paralympic Hall of Fame.
