Chantal Petitclerc

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Chantal Petitclerc (2017)

Chantal Petitclerc CC (born December 15, 1969 in Saint-Marc-des-Carrières ) is a Canadian disabled athlete and politician . The wheelchair athlete competed at the Paralympic Games from 1992 to 2008 and collected 14 gold, 5 silver and 2 bronze medals during this time. The short distance specialist holds the world records for 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1500 m. Since April 1, 2016, she has been a member of the Senate of Canada as an independent senator for the Senate Division Grandville in Québec .

Life

Childhood and youth

Chantal Petitclerc was born on December 15, 1969 in Saint-Marc-des-Carrières in the province of Québec . She was paralyzed in an accident at the age of 13 when a heavy barn door overturned and fell on her . For rehabilitation, Petitclerc started swimming, four years later she switched to athletics and started training for wheelchair races. She finished her first competition far behind in last place. She met athletes who were training for the Summer Paralympics in Seoul in 1988 , and was spurred and motivated by them.

Athletic career

In addition to her social science training at the Cégep de Sainte-Foy and later studying history at the University of Alberta , Petitclerc trained more and more intensively and took part in the 1992 Paralympics in Barcelona for the first time, from which she returned home with two bronze medals in the 200 and 800 m. At the following event in Atlanta in 1996 , she won gold over 100 and 200 m and silver over 400, 800 and 1500 m. Again she won gold twice at the Paralympics 2000 in Sydney , this time over 200 and 800 m, plus silver over 100 and 400 m.

For the first time, individual handicapped sports competitions were included in the program of events for the Commonwealth Games 2002 ; Petitclerc won the 800 m race there. She also won the 800 m demonstration competition at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens . She dominated the subsequent Paralympics : Petitclerc won gold in all five disciplines from 100 to 1500 m and set four world records. As a result, Petitclerc was named Disabled Sportsman of the Year in 2005 with the Laureus World Sports Award . She received another honor when she was selected to carry the Canadian flag for the 2006 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony .

At the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing , Petitclerc repeated the success from Athens and returned home with five gold medals. For this she received the Lou Marsh Trophy (Canadian Sportsman of the Year) in 2008 . After a total of 14 gold, 5 silver and 2 bronze medals, Petitclerc declared her Paralympic career over after the games in Beijing. She is now training to take part in marathons and other long-distance races.

In London, at the 2012 Paralympics , Petitclerc was no longer active as an athlete. Instead, she was now working as a trainer and mentor for the British Paralympic squad.

World records

Chantal Petitclerc holds (in class T54) the following world records:

Political career

On April 1, 2016, Petitclerc was appointed Senator for the Grandville Division in eastern Québec on the proposal of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau . Within the Senate, Petitclerc joined the Independent Senators Group .

Other honors and activities

In Canada, disabled sports are receiving a lot of public attention, where Petitclerc is seen as a great human and sporting role model. In 2009, she received a star on Canada's Walk of Fame in Toronto . In addition, she was honored in 2009 as a Companion of the Order of Canada "for her outstanding successes at Paralympics, which have made her a source of inspiration worldwide, and for her commitment to the development of disabled sports" . This is the highest level of the Order of Canada, Canada's highest award for civilians.

In addition to his sporting career, Petitclerc also works for television. For example, she was active as a lottery fee for Loto-Québec from 1994 to 2007 and works for sports programs on TV and radio. In addition, she moderates galas and other events and gives lectures as a motivational speaker.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ http://sport.uk.msn.com/paralympics2012/petitclerc-enjoying-new-role-1 Petitclerc enjoying new role , August 28, 2012
  2. ^ List of Senators
  3. ↑ "For her achievements as a Paralympic champion known internationally as an inspiration, and for her commitment to developing sports for athletes with a disability." Source: Governor General announces 60 new appointments to the Order of Canada , accessed December 2, 2009
personal data
SURNAME Petitclerc, Chantal
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Canadian disabled athlete
DATE OF BIRTH 15th December 1969
PLACE OF BIRTH Saint-Marc-des-Carrières