Chantal Petitclerc facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chantal Petitclerc
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Petitclerc in 2017
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| Canadian Senator from Grandville |
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| Assumed office 18 March 2016 |
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| Nominated by | Justin Trudeau | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Appointed by | David Johnston | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Andrée Champagne (2014) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | 15 December 1969 Saint-Marc-des-Carrières, Quebec, Canada |
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| Political party | Independent Senators Group | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spouse | James Duhamel | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Children | Elliot Duhamel | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Chantal Petitclerc, born on December 15, 1969, is a famous Canadian wheelchair racer. She is also a Senator, which means she helps make laws for Canada. Chantal is known for her amazing achievements in sports and for inspiring many people.
Contents
Chantal's Early Life and Journey
At 13 years old, Chantal had an accident where a heavy barn door fell on her. This accident caused her to lose the use of her legs.
Discovering a Love for Swimming
A high school teacher named Gaston Jacques helped Chantal a lot. He taught her to swim during lunch breaks. Swimming helped her become stronger and more independent in her wheelchair. It also showed her how much she loved to compete!
Becoming a Wheelchair Racing Star
When Chantal was 18, a trainer named Pierre Pomerleau introduced her to wheelchair sports. She tried her first race with a homemade wheelchair and finished last. But she loved it and knew this was her sport!
Training and Education
While becoming a great athlete, Chantal also studied. She went to college and then to the University of Alberta. She moved there to train with her coach, Peter Eriksson, who still coaches her today.
Paralympic Games Achievements
Chantal first competed in the Paralympic Games in Barcelona in 1992. She won two bronze medals there. This was just the start of her incredible collection of 21 Paralympic medals, including 14 gold medals!
- In 1996, at the Atlanta Games, she won two gold medals (100m and 200m) and three silver medals (400m, 800m, and 1500m).
- At the Sydney Games, she won two gold medals (200m and 800m) and two silver medals (100m and 400m).
- In 2004, at the Athens Games, she had an amazing performance, winning five gold medals!
- She continued her success at the Beijing Games, winning five more gold medals.
Chantal has won many awards for her incredible sports career. She was chosen to carry the Canadian flag at the opening ceremonies of the 2006 Commonwealth Games. She is still the female Paralympic athlete with the most gold medals, holding 14 golds and 21 medals in total.
Coaching and Mentoring
After her racing career, Chantal became a coach and mentor. She worked with the British athletics team for the 2012 Summer Paralympics. She was also the "Chef de Mission" (team leader) for Canada's teams at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Chantal's Personal Life
Chantal Petitclerc is married to James Duhamel, who creates electro-acoustic music. They have a son named Elliot, who was born in December 2013.
Chantal as a Canadian Senator
On March 18, 2016, Chantal Petitclerc was chosen to be a Senator by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. As a Senator, she works with the Independent Senators Group.
Working for Canadians
Her main goals in the Senate are to improve health care and protect the rights of people with disabilities. She has given powerful speeches in the Senate, sharing her own experiences to help others. For example, she spoke about how important it is for people with disabilities to feel in control of their own lives.
Awards and Recognition
Chantal Petitclerc has received many honors for her achievements:
- The ice hockey arena in her hometown, St-Marc-des-Carrières, is named after her.
- In 2002, she received the Meritorious Service Medal.
- In 2005, she became a Knight of the Order of Quebec and was inducted into the Canadian Disability Hall of Fame.
- In 2009, she received a star on Canada's Walk of Fame.
- Also in 2009, she became a Companion of the Order of Canada, which is one of Canada's highest honors.
- In 2010, she was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.
- She has also received the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal.
- In 2015, she was inducted into the Canadian Paralympic Hall of Fame.
Images for kids
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Ribbon for the Companion of the Order of Canada
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Ribbon for the National Order of Quebec
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Ribbon for the Meritorious Service Medal (Civil Division)
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Ribbon for the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal
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Ribbon for the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
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See also
In Spanish: Chantal Petitclerc para niños
- Athletes with most gold medals in one event at the Paralympic Games
