Cross Country Canada / Ski du Fond Canada

Colette Bourgonje is one of Canada’s most recognized Paralympians, having participated in all six Paralympic Winter Games in addition to competing in a wheelchair at three Paralympic Summer Games in her phenomenal career where she has collected eight medals. The reigning World Champion in the sit-skiing distance race, Colette captured a silver and bronze medal at the 2010 Paralympics before being recognized at the closing ceremonies as the 2010 recipient of the prestigious Whang Youn Dai Achievement Award at the Vancouver Paralympics, a solid gold medal recognizing individuals who conquer adversities through the pursuit of excellence in sport.

 

Hailing from the small town of Porcupine Plain in northeast Saskatchewan, Colette describes herself as having always been involved in sports. Colette tried sit-skiing for the first time in 1991, and was soon winning national championships and world championships.  She has since evolved into one of the world’s most accomplished sit-ski athletes.

 

Not many athletes have had a street named after them while still in competition; if you know the area around the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, you might have come across Bourgonje Crescent.  On top of being nominated as Saskatchewan Female Athlete-of-the-Year in 1999 Colette was inducted to the Saskatoon Sport Hall of Fame in 1998 and was chosen as Saskatoon’s Athlete-of-the-Year in 1996.

 

Indeed she competed nationally in cross-country running before a car accident in 1980 left her paralysed at the mid-back level.  Undeterred by adversity she resumed racing, this time in a wheelchair.  She also became the first graduate of Saskatchewan University’s Physical Education Department who used a wheelchair.  She pursued her goal by studying further to acquire a teaching certificate and worked as an elementary school teacher until choosing to take a leave of absence to train full-time.

 

A proponent of healthy living for everyone, Colette is tireless in promoting physical activity, especially for children, rather than focusing entirely on elite sports.  As an advocate of active living Colette is an ambassador of In Motion, Saskatchewan’s movement to increase physical activity.  “I would tell someone if they want to get the most out of life and really start living, they should try doing something physical - even if it is just a 15 minute walk once a day. Your mind, body and spirit are all enhanced when you exercise.”

Silver and bronze medallist at 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver

Double bronze medallist 2006 Parlympic Winter Games in Torino

2005 World Cup Series Sit-Ski Champion

Double silver medallist 1998 Paralympic Winter Games in Nagano

Double silver medallist at 2003 Disabled World Championships

1998 World Cup Series Sit-Ski Champion