Richard Peter (Paralympian) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Richard Peter

Personal information
Born	(1972-12-14) December 14, 1972 (age 52) Duncan, BC, CAN
Nationality	Canadian
Listed height	5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Career information
Pro career	1994–2012
Medals Men's wheelchair basketball Representing  Canada Paralympic Games Gold 2000 Sydney Men's team Gold 2004 Athens Men's team Silver 2008 Beijing Men's team Gold 2012 London Men's team

Richard "Bear" Peter (born September 10, 1972) is a Canadian First Nations athlete. He is famous for playing wheelchair basketball and para-badminton. Richard was born in Duncan, British Columbia, and now lives in Vancouver.

When Richard was four years old, he had an accident that meant he would use a wheelchair. At 15, he found his passion for wheelchair sports. A team visited his school and showed him how exciting wheelchair basketball could be. This inspired him to start playing. Richard has competed in many Paralympic Games, winning three gold medals in wheelchair basketball.

Richard Peter's Life Story

Richard Peter grew up in the Cowichan Tribes reserve. This is British Columbia's largest First Nations community. His parents, Leonard and Gloria Peter, always encouraged him to play sports. His tribe also helped him with money when he needed it for sports.

Richard started playing wheelchair basketball when he was 15. By 1994, at age 22, he was already on the Canadian national team. In 2005, Richard married Marni Abbott. She was also a wheelchair basketball player from Vancouver. They first met through the sport in 1994.

Marni retired from basketball in 2004. She now works as a sports consultant and coach. She was inspired to play sports by Rick Hansen. Both Marni and Rick Hansen were added to the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame in 2007. Richard and Marni often do public events together. They give presentations and host events. One example is an annual basketball event in Kelowna. This event brings the community together for friendly competition.

In 2008, Richard Peter was the only First Nations athlete on the Canadian Paralympic Team in Beijing.

How His Tribe Helped

Richard is a member of the Cowichan tribe in Duncan. He has helped make important decisions for his community. For example, he helped decide to host the B.C. Summer Games in 2018. At the opening ceremony, Richard lit the torch. He also spoke at the event as a role model.

The B.C. Summer Games included many Indigenous traditions. There was a blessing ceremony at the start. Signs were also put up in the local First Nations language. The event worked with the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council. This helped create more chances for Indigenous athletes to play sports.

The Cowichan tribe also helps young people in sports financially. They invest a lot of money into their community. This helps with things like job offices, cultural programs, and schools.

Richard Peter's Basketball Career

Richard Peter played for Canada's National Wheelchair Basketball team for 18 years. He was a very important player. In 1996, his team finished fifth at the Atlanta Paralympics.

Richard helped Canada win gold medals at three Paralympic Games. The first was in Sydney in 2000. Then came Athens in 2004, and finally London in 2012. In 2008, in Beijing, his team won a silver medal. They were beaten by Australia in the final game.

Richard and his team also won the world championship in 2006. He was part of British Columbia's provincial team. This team won five national championships in a row. Towards the end of his career, he played semi-pro wheelchair basketball in Germany and Italy. He also won a national title in the United States.

Richard Peter retired in 2012 when he was 40 years old. He had an amazing 18-year career. He was added to the BC Sports Hall of Fame in 2010. Richard won the national Tom Longboat Award in 2000 and 2004. This award celebrates Indigenous athletes who do great things in Canadian sports. In 2012, he also received the Indspire Award for Sport.

During his career, Richard was known for being very determined and focused. He was a role model for both young and old people. He always contributed positively to his team.

Helping the Community

While still playing basketball, Richard Peter started helping young people. He especially helped those who used wheelchairs. In 2012, he flew back from Europe to meet a First Nations teenager who had recently become paralyzed. He introduced the teen to wheelchair sports.

Richard always wanted to keep helping young people. He has given many inspiring speeches to children. This includes talks at training camps for Indigenous youth. He also spoke at a "mini we day" at a public school. This event was part of a campaign to raise awareness about Indigenous youth in schools.

Richard also joined the Canadian Paralympic Committee on a tour. It was called "Canadian Paralympic Schools Week." They taught Canadians about Paralympic sports across the country. In Iqaluit, Richard made a big difference. He connected with young people who had disabilities and got to know community members.

Paralympic Achievements

Richard Peter joined the Senior Men's National Team in 1994. He became a key player for Team Canada. From his first game to his last, he made his country proud by winning many medals. He even won them back-to-back.

Awards and Recognition

Richard Peter has received many awards for his achievements:

• Tom Longboat Award (national male winner) in 2000 and 2004
• Gert Vorsteher Memorial Award
• British Columbia Wheelchair Basketball Society (BCWBS) Male Athlete of the Year 2012
• Indspire Award - Sport Category - 2012
• Canadian Wheelchair Basketball Athlete of the Year 2008
• Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Award
• City of Duncan Sports Trophy winner 2004

Some of his medals are shown in the Indigenous Sport Gallery. This gallery is located in the BC Sports Hall of Fame. It also has displays about the history of Indigenous people in sports. Richard was also inducted into the Canadian Disability Hall of Fame in 2019.