Paralympic Community Makes Most Influential Women in Sport List

The honoured women include Canadian athlete of the year Chantal Petitclerc, Executive Vice President – Sport, Paralympic Games and Venue Management for the Vancouver Organizing Committee of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) Cathy Priestner Allinger, President of the Canadian Paralympic Committee Carla Qualtrough, and Executive Vice President – Workforce and Sustainability for VANOC Donna Wilson.

Chantal Petitclerc is a well-accomplished Paralympian, with her first competition and medal from the Barcelona 1992 Paralympic Games. At the ATHENS 2004 Paralympic Games and the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, Petitclerc impressed spectators and the world with a stunning ten gold medals won. She competed and placed first in the Women’s 1,500m (T54), 800m, 400m, 200m, and 100m in Athens and Beijing.

Cathy Priestner Allinger oversees a series of international events designed to test the facilities, services and programmes to ensure the effective operation of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.

Carla Qualtrough is a member of the Legal Committee of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), where her insights, perspectives, and advice are sought by leaders at the highest levels. As leader of NPC Canada, she ensured the voices of Paralympic athletes were heard within their organization through the formation of an Athletes Council.

Donna Wilson plays a key role in developing the culture of VANOC. Guiding the organization through its major hiring and volunteer recruitment, she is responsible for everything that has to do with people, relationships and its lasting legacy.

The Most Influential Women in Sport and Physical Activity List recognizes women who have made a significant impact as academics, athletes, administrators, advocates, broadcasters, coaches, executives, fundraisers, managers, officials, psychologists and volunteers. Their selection to the list reflects their influential activity in the calendar year 2008.

For the complete list and for more information about CAAWS, please visit www.caaws.ca.