Petitclerc is Canada's flagbearer
Mar. 14th, 2006 09:32 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
tyresiashttp://www.cbc.ca/story/sports/national/2006/03/14/Sports/petitclerc_commonwealth060314.html
Five-time Paralympic gold medal winner Chantal Petitclerc was named Canada's flagbearer for Wednesday's opening ceremonies at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia. The 36-year-old athlete from Montreal will carry the flag and lead more than 200 Canadian athletes into the stadium, the first time team Canada will be led by paralympian at a Commonwealth, Olympic or Pan American Games "To me, this is the ultimate proof that if you have a strong commitment to your goals and dreams, if you wake up every day with a passion to do your job or your sport, everything is possible," Petitclerc said.
Petitclerc competed at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England, and won gold in the 800 metres.
She also holds the world records in the 100, 400, 800 and 1,500 metres. "The Commonwealth Games are very special because they are the first major Games in history that have fully integrated Paralympic events in the program, and to me that's very important. I've been fighting for that for years," said Petitclerc. "(In Manchester) it was one of the greatest days of my life to be there in the stadium and to win that gold medal at the first fully-integrated event." Petitclerc raced to five gold medals and three world records on the track at the 2004 Paralympics in Athens.
"Chantal Petitclerc is an inspiration to all Canadians," said Canada's chef de mission Dr. Ross Outerbridge. "I can't imagine a more fitting or deserving flagbearer to represent us, and the entire country, at these opening ceremonies." Wrestler Daniel Igali carried the flag for Canada into the 2002 opening ceremonies in Manchester. The Commonwealth Games runs from March 15-26.
Five-time Paralympic gold medal winner Chantal Petitclerc was named Canada's flagbearer for Wednesday's opening ceremonies at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia. The 36-year-old athlete from Montreal will carry the flag and lead more than 200 Canadian athletes into the stadium, the first time team Canada will be led by paralympian at a Commonwealth, Olympic or Pan American Games "To me, this is the ultimate proof that if you have a strong commitment to your goals and dreams, if you wake up every day with a passion to do your job or your sport, everything is possible," Petitclerc said.
Petitclerc competed at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England, and won gold in the 800 metres.
She also holds the world records in the 100, 400, 800 and 1,500 metres. "The Commonwealth Games are very special because they are the first major Games in history that have fully integrated Paralympic events in the program, and to me that's very important. I've been fighting for that for years," said Petitclerc. "(In Manchester) it was one of the greatest days of my life to be there in the stadium and to win that gold medal at the first fully-integrated event." Petitclerc raced to five gold medals and three world records on the track at the 2004 Paralympics in Athens.
"Chantal Petitclerc is an inspiration to all Canadians," said Canada's chef de mission Dr. Ross Outerbridge. "I can't imagine a more fitting or deserving flagbearer to represent us, and the entire country, at these opening ceremonies." Wrestler Daniel Igali carried the flag for Canada into the 2002 opening ceremonies in Manchester. The Commonwealth Games runs from March 15-26.
