OFFICE OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF ONTARIO
NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release
10 December 2008
MESSAGE FROM THE
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF ONTARIO
TORONTO – I was pleased to learn that Ms. Chantal Petitclerc has been awarded the prestigious Lou Marsh trophy as Canada’s top athlete of 2008.
Because I was asked to represent Her Excellency Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing this summer, I had the pleasure of seeing Ms. Petitclerc in action, which was a wonderful experience. I was delighted that a panel of sports journalists and personalities from around the country have chosen her from this year’s field of outstanding athletes.
Chantal Petitclerc is only the second wheelchair athlete, after Rick Hansen, to win this award. I join all Canadians in celebrating this climax to an extraordinary athletic career, during which Ms. Petitclerc has won 14 Gold and 21 total medals over five Olympic Games, including four world records.
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Contact:
Ms. Nanda Casucci-Byrne
Office of the Lieutenant Governor
416-325-7780