Chantal Petitclerc has many wins to her credit, but one was truly historic. In July 2002, she won the gold medal in the 800m at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England; her time was 1′ 52.92 at the first wheelchair event to be fully integrated into the program of a major international non-disabled competition – making Petitclerc the first disabled athlete in the history of sports to register a result for her country’s team at such an event.
She was 18 when she was introduced to wheelchair sports. Using a homemade wheelchair, Petitclerc took part in her first race and came in last. Her skill and determination kicked in and an incredible athlete was born.
Petitclerc joined the national team in 1988, competing in the Paralympic Games for the first time in Barcelona in 1992 and returning with two bronze medals. In Athens at the 2004 Paralympics, she racked up an impressive five gold medals. She smashed the 800m record again at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia, where she was also the flag bearer for the opening ceremonies. Petitclerc won another five gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games, throwing in two new world records and one new Paralympic record for good measure. Petitclerc is the only Canadian to medal at the Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games, not to mention being the current world record holder for the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m and 1500m.
Chantal is a highly sought-after speaker, and shares her story with dozens of groups each year, both throughout Canada and abroad.
