Chantal Petitclerc

The Honourable Chantal Petitclerc participated in her first wheelchair race at the age of 18 following an accident that left her with a damaged spinal column when she was 13. Petitclerc is an internationally renowned athlete, an advocate for persons with disabilities, and a Canadian Senator. Born in rural Quebec, she was the first Canadian athlete to win gold medals at the Olympics, Paralympics and Commonwealth Games. Petitclerc won 21 medals at five Paralympic games from 1992 to 2008 competing in wheelchair races, including 14 gold medals, and broke 26 world records. She is considered the most decorated female track athlete in history. Petitclerc has received many honours, including a star on the Canadian Walk of Fame and inclusion in Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. A Companion of the Order of Canada, she was named to the Senate of Canada in 2016.

“I like the idea of living life with happiness, to face obstacles with positivity. This attitude is the reason why I was able to overcome my life’s challenges and, step by step, build the career that I have today. Beyond psychological, physical or genetic factors, it’s the attitude we choose that makes a difference in our path.”