Background:

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.  Cross-country skier Colette Bourgonje has participated in all five Paralympic Winter Games as well as wheel-chair racing in three Summer Games in her phenomenal career so far, with a collection of eight medals to prove it.  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 she was chosen Saskatoon’s Athlete of the year in 1996.

Hailing from the small town of Porcupine Plain in  north east Saskatchewan, Colette describes herself as having always been involved in sports.  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 Ms. Bourgonje is tireless in promoting physical activity, especially for children, rather than focussing entirely on elite sports.  As an advocate of active living Ms. Bourgonje 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.”

Colette tried sit-skiing for the first time in 1991 and was soon winning national championships and world championships.  She has since become a dedicated Nordic ski competitor and one of our best medal hopes for Vancouver 2010.

Key Ski Information:

• Five-time Paralympian (Albertville, Lillehammer, Nagano, Salt Lake City, Torino)
• 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

Paralympic Results:

2006 – Paralympic Winter Games, Turin, Italy: 3 (5km)

2006 – Paralympic Winter Games, Turin, Italy: 6 (2.5km)

2006 – Paralympic Winter Games, Turin, Italy: 3 (10km)

2002 – Paralympic Winter Games, Salt Lake City, USA: 4 (2.5 km Sit Ski)

2002 – Paralympic Winter Games, Salt Lake City, USA: 6 (10 km Sit Ski)

2002 – Paralympic Winter Games, Salt Lake City, USA: 9 (5 km Sit Ski)

1998 – Paralympic Winter Games, Nagano, Japan: 2 (2.5 km Sit Ski)

1998 – Paralympic Winter Games, Nagano, Japan: 2 (5 km Sit Ski)

2008-09 Results:

2008 – Haywood NorAm, Sovereign Lake, BC: 1 (5km/Classic)

2009 – IPC World Championships, Vuokatti, Finland: 4 (3 x 2.5km/Relay)

2009 – IPC World Championships, Vuokatti, Finland: 4 (10km/Classic)

2009 – IPC World Championships, Vuokatti, Finland: 4 (5km/Free)

2009 – IPC World Championships, Vuokatti, Finland: 3 (1km/Sprint)

2009 – IPC World Cup, Whistler, BC: 4 (800m/Sprint)

2009 – IPC World Cup Finals, Mt. Washington, BC: 2 (5km/Free)

2009 – IPC World Cup Finals, Mt. Washington, BC: 2 (9km/Classic)

2007-08 Results:

2008 – IPC World Cup, Isny, GER: 4 (5km)

2008 – IPC World Cup, Isny, GER: 2 (5km)

2008 – IPC World Cup, Isny, GER: 2 (2.5km)

2008 – IPC World Cup, Isny, GER: 4 (10km)

2008 – IPC World Cup, Vuokatti, FIN: 1 (sprint)

2008 – IPC World Cup, Vuokatti, FIN: 2 (5km)

2008 – IPC World Cup, Vuokatti, FIN: 4 (10km)

2008 – IPC World Cup, Vuokatti, FIN: 4 (sprint)

2008 – IPC World Cup Finals, Nes, NOR: 4 (sprint)

2008 – IPC World Cup Finals, Nes, NOR: 4 (pursuit)

2008 – Ski Nationals, Callaghan Valley, BC: 1 (2.5km, 5km & 7.5km)

2006-07 Results:

2007 – IPC World Cup, Mt. Washington, B.C.: 1 (Biathlon Sprint)

2007 – IPC World Cup, Mt. Washington, B.C.: 1 (10km)

2007 – IPC World Cup, Mt. Washington, B.C.: 1 (Biathlon 10km)

2007 – IPC World Cup, Mt. Washington, B.C.: 1 (Sprint)

2005-06 Results:

2006 – Paralympic Winter Games, Turin, Italy: 3 (5km)

2006 – Paralympic Winter Games, Turin, Italy: 6 (2.5km)

2006 – Paralympic Winter Games, Turin, Italy: 3 (10km)

2006 – IPC World Cup, Lillehammer, Norway (2.5km) 4

2006 – IPC World Cup, Lillehammer, Norway (10km) 4

2004-2005 Results:

2005 – World Cup Isny (15km) 1

2005 – World Cup Isny (sprint) 1

2005 – IPC World Cup, Switzerland (5km) 1

2005 – IPC World Cup, Switzerland  (2.5km) 1

2005 – IPC World Championships (5km) 6

2005 – IPC World Championships (2.5km) 3

2005 – IPC World Championships (10km) 3

Pursuit of Excellence:

Colette Bourgonje takes things one step at a time, focusing on accomplishing short term goals and eventually reaching her long-term goals. She has used this philosophy in her career as an elementary/physical education teacher as well as an elite athlete. In 1984, Colette was the first wheelchair bound person to graduate from the Physical Education Department, University of Saskatchewan.

“Always look for the positive and stay focused on your goals.”