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VELMA SPRINGSTEAD AWARD
for Outstanding Female Athlete
Chantal Petitclerc - Athletics
Nominated by l'Association québécoise des sports en fauteuil roulant
While gold medals are rarely a sure bet, Chantal Peticlerc overcomes the odds more often than not, and in spectacular fashion. The 2000 Paralympic Games proved no exception for this versatile crowd pleaser, who already had on gold, three silver, and two Paralympic medals to her credit. Competing in Sydney in five gruelling events--the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, and 1500m--the focused and disciplined racer from Montreal needed to be in top form, especially for the 800m, where she was determined to end the eight-year reign of Louise Sauvage of Australia (the Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability).
When the dust settled, Petitclerc was the proud possessor of two Paralympic gold medals and a pair of silvers as well. Each race was a hard-fought spectacle and in the 800m, unexpected controversy fuelled the excitement.
From the start, the 800m had all the elements of a grand drama, pitting world champion (Sauvage) against world record holder (Petitclerc), who had "dreamt about Louise more than I have about my boyfriend." Victory would depend on going out hard, and Petitclerc called on her explosive start to do just that. Her win was decisive. Jubilation proved premature when race officials voided the result because a crash in the back of the pack prevented three competitors from finishing, even though Petitclerc and Sauvage were well clear of the incident. Several days of protest and counter-protest ensued before Petitclerc's victory, in what she called one of the best races of her life, was confirmed and she took her rightful place atop the podium. She was there again after routing the opposition in another thriller in the 200m.
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