Five-time goalball Paralympian Nancy Morin passes away

The Paralympic Movement is mourning the loss of Paralympic goalball champion Nancy Morin of Canada.

She is survived by her parents, Claudette and Claude Morin, and brother Martin.

The 44-year-old competed in five Paralympic Games, winning two gold medals at Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004. Of the 23 Canadian goalball championships that Morin competed in, the team played 22 times for gold or bronze. Her international record includes 33 competitions including five Paralympic Games, where Morin played in 18 finals and eight times for bronze. She won bronze in her two Parapan Am appearances.

Morin was a repeated top scorer, both in national and international competitions. The Canadian was the proud flag bearer at the 2009 Americas Championships in Colorado Springs, USA.

Morin was involved on the board of directors of the Quebec Blind Sports Association (QBSA), helping fundraise for events such as the goalball-o-thon and the Course lumière. She was also a speaker in Quebec schools to introduce her passion for goalball. Loved by the students, the teachers said she was a real inspiration to young people.

All these achievements demonstrate the impact Morin had on women's sport in Quebec and internationally.

IBSA President Jannie Hammershoi, who herself played against Morin, said: “IBSA is deeply saddened by Nancy’s death at such a young age. Players like her, especially with her work in the community combined with international success, show what is possible when you play as part of a team. Her contribution meant that Canada were unbeatable and inspired a generation of players. We share the sadness of the wider goalball family and pass on our deepest sympathies to her family and all who knew her.”
 
Nathalie Chartrand, QBSA’s Executive Director, said: "At this time of COVID-19, we expect to receive a call from a relative informing us of a death. But getting a call announcing the death of an athlete who retired less than two years ago is a nightmare.”

Quebec coach Nathalie Séguin said: "Nancy was one of the first athletes I coached when I discovered goalball with QBSA almost 10 years ago. I followed her until she retired and she continued to come and help us with practices. She certainly made me grow as a coach and I try every day to instill her qualities in my athletes: combativeness, perseverance, performance by working towards a common goal. We lost a great player in Quebec, not only in goalball, but in all women's team sports.”