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.

When Richard was four years old, he was in a bus accident. This accident meant he would use a wheelchair for the rest of his life. At 15, he found his passion for wheelchair sports. A team visited his school and showed him how exciting wheelchair basketball could be. Since then, Richard has competed in five Paralympic Games. He won three gold medals in wheelchair basketball.

Richard Peter's Life Story

Richard Peter grew up in the Cowichan Tribes reserve. This is the largest First Nations community in British Columbia. 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.

He started playing wheelchair basketball at age 15. By 1994, when he was 22, he joined 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 stopped playing competitively in 2004. She now works as a sports consultant and coach. She was inspired by Rick Hansen, a famous Canadian athlete. Marni believes Rick Hansen and Terry Fox helped make Canada more accessible. Both Marni and Rick Hansen joined the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame in 2007. Richard and Marni often do public events together. They give talks and host events, like a basketball jamboree in Kelowna. This jamboree brings the community together for friendly games.

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

Richard's Community Contributions

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

The 2018 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.

The Cowichan tribe also helps young people in sports. They invest money into youth sports programs. This helps more kids get involved. The tribe invests a lot of money into their community. They support 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. In 1996, his second year, Canada finished fifth at the Atlanta Paralympics. Richard helped his team win gold medals at three Paralympic Games. These wins were in Sydney (2000), Athens (2004), and London (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 title in 2006. He was part of British Columbia's provincial team too. This team won five national championships in a row. Richard also played semi-pro wheelchair basketball in Germany and Italy. He even won a national title in the United States.

Richard Peter retired in 2012 at age 40. He had an amazing 18-year career. He was inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame in 2010. He won the national Tom Longboat Award in 2000 and 2004. This award honors Aboriginal athletes for their great contributions to Canadian sports. In 2012, he received the Indspire Award for Sport. Richard was known for his strong will and focus. He was a role model to everyone, both on and off the court.

Inspiring Others Through Sport

After his basketball career, Richard became a program coordinator. He worked at the B.C. Wheelchair Sports Association. He started as a camp counselor and moved up. He now organizes many junior sports camps. Here, he encourages children in wheelchairs to be active. He wants them to live healthy lives and play sports.

One young camper said that when Richard plays with them, it makes him want to do his best. Richard makes sure every child takes part. He even brings his gold medals to show what hard work can achieve. Besides basketball, he also plays competitive wheelchair tennis.

Richard has also hosted an "Aboriginal Have a Go!" day. This event let Indigenous people try different wheelchair sports. They could try tennis, basketball, and rugby. The day was open to everyone, not just those in wheelchairs. This event worked with "Bridging the Gap." This group helps raise awareness for wheelchair sports.

Richard believes his community needs more Indigenous sports programs.

Community Involvement and Mentorship

While still playing basketball, Richard started helping young people. He especially helped those who had recently become paralyzed. In 2012, he flew back from Europe to visit a First Nations teen. This teen had recently become paralyzed. Richard introduced him to wheelchair sports.

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

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 connected with young people with disabilities. He also got to know community members personally.

Paralympic Achievements

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

Awards and Recognition

Richard Peter has received many awards for his achievements:

• Tom Longboat Award national male winner in 2004 and 2000
• 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 displayed in the Indigenous Sport Gallery. This gallery is located in the BC Sports Hall of Fame. It also shows the history of Aboriginal people in various sports.

Richard was inducted into the Canadian Disability Hall of Fame in 2019.