This time last year, Ms. Petitclerc was competing in the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. Today (September 14th) is the one year anniversary of her win in the 200m, followed 90 minutes later with another gold medal and a new world record in the 800m. Ms. Petitclerc finished the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games with an unprecedented five gold medals and two world records, as well as a Paralympic record.
Since the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, Ms. Petitclerc has been honoured with the 2008 Canadian Press’ Bobbie Rosenfeld Award as Canada’s female athlete of the year and the 2008 Lou Marsh Trophy as Canadian athlete of the year. On Canada Day she was appointed as a Companion of the Order of Canada.
“Ms. Petitclerc is one of the most decorated athletes in the world. Her achievements as a Paralympic Athlete are a great source of pride and inspiration for Canadians,” said Henry Storgaard, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Paralympic Committee. “On behalf of the whole Canadian Paralympic Movement, it is my pleasure to congratulate Ms. Petiticlerc on her induction into the Canadian Walk of Fame and for a year of remarkable accomplishments. We hope that Ms. Petitclerc and her outstanding success inspires children with a disability to become involved in sport.”
In an outstanding career spanning 17 years, Ms. Petitclerc has won a grand total of 21 medals, 14 of which are gold. She is the current world and Paralympic record holder in the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, and 1500m T54 wheelchair racing class.
With six months to go until the start of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, Canadians can look forward to seeing the athleticism and competitiveness of Paralympic sport on home soil. Representing Canada at the first Paralympic Winter Games held in Canada will be 55 Paralympic athletes. Current Paralympic gold medalists in Sledge Hockey and Wheelchair Curling, and World Cup champions in Para-alpine skiing and Para-Nordic Skiing, will compete against fierce international competition to finish in the top three medal winning nations.
