Chantal Petitclerc

Paralympic Champion. World Record Holder.

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Chantal Petitclerc

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At the age of 13, an accident deprived her of the use of her legs. Her high school physical education teacher, Gaston Jacques, had a strong influence on her future. He convinced her to try swimming to develop her strength and endurance.

Four years later she discovered wheelchair athletic, which would take her to the Barcelona Olympic Games in 1992 and ultimately, to the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008. With fierce focus, perseverance, and discipline, Chantal became the most successful wheelchair racer of all time.

She retired after Beijing 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, Chantal became coach and mentor of 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 in Rio in 2016. Now a commentator for the games on CBC and Radio-Canada, she remains active in the sport community.

She also participates in projects for many Paralympic athletics and sports organizations, in addition to working as a spokesperson for Défi Sportif and as an ambassador for Right to Play.

In April 2016, she was appointed by Prime Minister Trudeau as a new independent member of the Senate, where she intends to help build a better Canada.

Sharing My Story

Sharing My Story

In English or in French, Chantal speaks about the stages of her life, the circumstances that brought her to become a wheelchair track and field athlete, her major victories, and her minor disappointments. Without preaching, she uses her own story to illustrate the importance of perseverance, ambitious goals, vision, and, especially, dreams.

Sharing My Story

In English or in French, Chantal speaks about the stages of her life, the circumstances that brought her to become a wheelchair track and field athlete, her major victories, and her minor disappointments. Without preaching, she uses her own story to illustrate the importance of perseverance, ambitious goals, vision, and, especially, dreams.

Testimonials

“Your personal story of courage and determination intently engaged every person in the audience. As is most likely the case wherever you go, you captured the hearts of all the government employees who were present at this event. Your enlightening spirit was the perfect finishing touch in making the day a success.“

Natural Resources Canada
“Ms. Petitclerc exemplifies perseverance and excellence-two qualities that attracted Alcan to become associated with her. In the past three years, Chantal has had the opportunity to meet thousands of Alcan employees across Canada and around the world. We know how much she is appreciated and how proud our employees are to be associated with such a great athlete and such an extraordinary person.“

Vice President, Alcan Primary Metal Group Canada