Chantal Petitclerc

**Chantal Petitclerc** (born December 15, 1969) be Canadian wheelchair racer den Senator wey komot Quebec.

## Early life

For de age of 13, Petitclerc lost de use of both legs insyd accident wen na she dey ein paddie ein farm, heavy barn door fall for ein top, wey fracture ein spine for de L1-T12 vertebra. Gaston Jacques, high school physical education teacher, wey na he get decisive influence for ein life top wen he teach am how to swim for four lunch hours a week thru out high school as na she be unable to participate insyd de gym course. Insyd 2011 interview, she state say, "[swimming] really helped me get more fit and stronger, and helped me live a more independent life in a wheelchair." Swimming sanso allow am make she discover ein competitive drive. While na she previously she be first insyd ein class academically, na ebe ein introduction to de world of competitive racing.

## Sport

Wen na she be eighteen, Pierre Pomerleau, trainer for Université Laval insyd Quebec City, introduce am to wheelchair sports. Dey use homemade wheelchair, she take part insyd ein first race wey she cam last, well behind de oda competitors. However, na she fall in love plus wheelchair racing wey na long den fruitful career begin.

While na Petitclerc dey develop ein skills as a wheelchair athlete, she pursue ein studies, first insyd social sciences for de CEGEP de Sainte-Foy wey then insyd history for de University of Alberta insyd Edmonton, wer na she register so say she go be able make she train plus Peter Eriksson, wey remain ein coach to dis day.

Petitclerc compete insyd de Paralympic Games for de first time insyd Barcelona insyd 1992, wey she return plus two bronze medals, de start of collection wey now dey include twenty one Paralympic medals, fourteen of dem gold. Four years later, for de Atlanta games, she take gold medals insyd de 100 den 200 m events den three silvers insyd de 400, 800, den 1500 m races. For de 2000 Summer Paralympics, she win two golds, insyd de 200 m den 800 m, den two silvers, insyd de 100 m den 400 m races. She win three gold medals (insyd 100 m, 200 m, den 400 m) den bronze (800 m) for de 2002 World Championships den gold for de 2002 Commonwealth Games insyd de 800 m. For de 2004 Summer Olympics (wer na wheelchair racing be exhibition sport) she win de 800 m, wey she go on to an impressive showing plus 5 gold medals for de 2004 Summer Paralympics. Wen she return from Athens insyd 2004, Petitclerc tell reporters de 2008 Summer Paralympics insyd Beijing go be ein last big international meeting buh dat she go continue dey train den road racing for a while. For ein performance insyd2008, na dem award am de Lou Marsh Trophy as Canadian athlete of de year den de Canadian Press ein Bobbie Rosenfeld Award as Canada ein female athlete of de year. Na dem sanso award Petitclerc de Best Female award for de Paralympic Sport Awards.

Plus ein 5 golds insyd de 2004 Paralympics, she tie de existing Canadian gold medal record for single Games, Winter anaa Summer, set by Stephanie Dixon for de 2000 Summer Paralympics. Ein 5 golds insyd de 2008 Paralympics tie dat record. As of 2010, de record still stand. As of 2012 she dey zuk five world records for wheelchair racing. As of 2019 she still be de most gold-medalled female paralympic athlete plus 14 golds den 21 medals.

Na dem choose am as de flagbearer of de Canadian team for de opening ceremonies of de 2006 Commonwealth Games.

Petitclerc dey live insyd Montreal, wey she dey train for Complexe sportif Claude-Robillard.

Rio Tinto Alcan be ein main sponsor since 1998.

Na dem appoint Petitclerc as coach den mentor to de British athletics team ahead of de 2012 Summer Paralympics, she dey work alongsyd ein former coach den UK Athletics' Paralympic head coach Peter Eriksson.

Na dem name Petitclerc de *Chef de Mission* give Canada ein 2014 Commonwealth Games team. Na dem sanso name am *Chef de Mission* give de 2016 Paralympic Games insyd Rio de Janeiro.

## Ein life matter

Petitclerc marry to electro-acoustic music composer James Duhamel wey dem give birth to son Elliot insyd December 2013.

## Senate

For March 18, 2016, na dem name Petitclerc to de Senate of Canada for de advice of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. She dey tap as member of de Independent Senators Group. Ein main priorities insyd de Senate be health as well as de rights of persons plus disabilities. Insyd June 2016, Senator Petitclerc deliver ein first speech insyd de Chamber for Bill C-14, An Act make dem amend de Criminal Code den make dem make related amendments to oda Acts (medical assistance insyd dying). Ein speech move chaw of ein colleagues, wen na she quote: "When you have a disability, the worst part is feeling as if you have no control over your own life, over your own body. It happens to all people with disabilities, I can assure you." She sanso sponsor Bill S-5, An Act make dem amend de Tobacco Act den de Non Smokers' Health Act den make dem make consequential amendments to oda acts.

## Honours den awards
De St-Marc-des-Carrières municipal ice hockey arena now dey bear ein name.

Insyd 2002, na dem award Petitclerc plus de Meritorious Service Medal (civil division).

Insyd 2005, na dem invest Petitclerc as Knight of de Order of Quebec. Dat year, Petitclerc cam turn part of de Canadian Disability Hall of Fame.

For June 16, 2009, na dem announce say Petitclerc go receive star for Canada ein Walk of Fame insyd Toronto. Na dem hold de induction ceremony for September 12, 2009.

Insyd 2009, na dem invest am as Companion of de Order of Canada "for her achievements as a Paralympic champion known internationally as an inspiration, and for her commitment to developing sports for athletes with a disability".

Insyd 2010, na dem induct am into Canada ein Sports Hall of Fame insyd Calgary, Alberta.

Insyd 2012, na dem award am Honorary Doctor of Laws degree by de University of Alberta.

Petitclerc sanso receive both de Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal  den de Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Insyd 2015, na dem induct Petitclerc into de Canadian Paralympic Hall of Fame of de Canadian Paralympic Committee.

## References


## External links
Wikimedia Commons get media wey relate to ******.

* Chantal Petitclerc profile on Bell Champions
* Chantal Petitclerc – Parliament of Canada biography
* Chantal Petitclerc at de International Paralympic Committee
* Chantal Petitclerc at IPC.InfostradaSports.com (archived)