Canada's Chantal Petitclerc to be inducted into Paralympic Hall of Fame
Most decorated female track Paralympian has 21 career medals, 14 gold
Canada's most decorated female Paralympian, Chantal Petitclerc will be one of five individuals inducted into the Paralympic Hall of Fame during the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games in September.
Team Canada's Chef de Mission in Rio will be joined by athletes Junichi Kawai, Franz Nietlispach and the late Neroli Susan Fairhall, along with coach inductee Martin Morse.
Petitclerc, of Montreal, has collected 21 Paralympic track medals, 14 being gold. She made her Paralympic debut at Barcelona 1992, and went on to compete in four further editions.
In her last Games at Beijing 2008, Petitclerc closed her athletic career with a statement, winning every track title from the 100-metre through to 1,500 T54, for the second time in a row, breaking world records along the way.
She still holds the world record in the 200 T54 and remains the most decorated female track Paralympian.
"It is a great honour to be inducted and join this group of amazing athletes," Petitclerc said. "Sport was a big part of my life as an athlete, and it was a privilege to achieve my goals as an athlete. To get recognition for this on top, it's even better.
"I believe in the power of sport to change lives, to make people better, and to empower. Sport has given me so much, I feel it is only fair that I give back to sport the best that I can."
The Paralympic Hall of Fame aims to recognize retired athletes and coaches who have a track record of excellent athletic performance, history of fair play and participation in community activities.
With this year's induction coinciding with the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, only athletes and coaches involved in summer sports were considered.