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Making History: Chantal Petitclerc

Paralympian Chantal Petitclerc has won 21 medals (14 gold, 5 silver and 2 bronze) for Canada as a wheelchair racer.

Born: December 15, 1969
Lives: Montréal QC
Eats: Organic / healthy
Fave PJs: Purple. (But she has a huge collection.)

You hold world records. You were “Canadian of the Year.” How did all of this start? When I was 12 an accident left me without the use of my legs. I had a gym teacher who inspired me to start training. Then I entered my fi rst race, and I was hooked.

Hooked on what? I wasn’t an athlete back then. I had never done anything competitive. But that race was so fun. I loved trying to do my best and chase someone. I got hooked on that feeling.

But now you’re not chasing anyone. You never lose! Ha! Yes, in some distances I’m really tough. But in the longer distances the competition is close.

Still, you won five gold medals at the Athens Paralympics. That’s crazy! I worked really hard for Athens. Weight training, stretching, diet ... it all made a huge difference.

Did winning in Athens give you a sense of relief? Like it was finally all over? Actually, I feel more pressure now. As a champion, you’re expected to win every time.

What does your family think about all of this? Are they athletes, too? I grew up in a small town where nobody did any serious training for anything — especially wheelchair racing! My dad was a construction worker. My mom worked in a restaurant. So, it took them a while to realize this wasn’t just an evening activity for me. They didn’t imagine I was going to dedicate my life to sport!

Are you a hero in your hometown now? Well, I have a sport centre named after me there. It’s funny — when I go to a hockey game there, it’s at the Chantal Petitclerc Centre. That’s kind of weird, but very cool.

A hockey game, eh? All you jocks are the same. Just eating and breathing sports ... You’re funny. Actually, track athletes are a pretty smart bunch. There’s a lot of travel and waiting around in track. So we read a lot.

Have you always liked reading? Yes, when I was young I really loved comics. Especially Tin Tin and Asterix.

Any other interests? I love trying new foods. When I was in Japan, I liked starting my day with miso soup! I even named one of my cats “Miso.” And I love organic food, shopping at the farmers market and supporting farmers who respect the earth.

I heard you studied Canadian history. Yes, I focused on when the English and French met the Natives … the clash of those worlds, and how they both changed. I don’t want to over-romanticize it, but there are a lot of things we can learn from Canada’s First Peoples.

I wonder what we could learn from you ... Well, I’m not really good with messages. But when I look back on my accident ... as a kid, I didn’t see all the opportunities that were there. I didn’t see myself becoming a world champion. I could have dreamed bigger. If there’s something to be learned from me, maybe that’s it. To have the courage to dream.

This article originally appeared in Kayak: Canada's History Magazine for Kids in June-July 2006. Subscribe today!