Petitclerc First Female Paralympian Inducted into Canada’s Hall of Fame

Paralympian Chantal Petitclerc has become the first female Paralympian to be inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.

The athlete who competed in wheelchair racing is incredibly accomplished, having attended five Paralympic Games. Petitclerc returned from the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games with five gold medals, two new world records and one new Paralympic record, making her the most decorated female track athlete in history.

Petitclerc is the only Canadian athlete to have won gold medals at the Olympics, Paralympics, and Commonwealth Games. In total, she holds 21 Paralympic medals, four world records, five Paralympic records, and an Olympic gold medal.

Petitclerc has received a great deal of awards and recognition over the years including the International Paralympic Committee Female Athlete of the Year. She has been appointed Companion of the Order of Canada, and received a Star on Canada's Walk of Fame. Petitclerc also recently released a book 16 days in Beijing. On 23 October, Petitclerc became a new member for the Canadian Paralympic Committee's Board of Directors.

Speaking at the induction on 11 November, President for the Canadian Paralympic Committee David Legg said: "On behalf of the Canadian Paralympic Committee, I want to congratulate Ms. Petitclerc for making history yet again by becoming the first female Paralympian inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. This is a well-deserved honour and the Canadian Paralympic Committee is very privileged to have Ms. Petitclerc as a part of our Board. I look forward to continuing to work with her to advance the Paralympic Movement in the future."