The 40-year-old icon, who lost the use of both legs when a heavy barn door fell on her at the age of 13, has competed at five Paralympic Games and boasts 21 medals, 14 of which are gold.

Petitclerc also holds an Olympic gold medal - which she won in an 800m demonstration event at Athens in 2004 - and is the most decorated female track athlete in history as well as the only Canadian athlete to have won gold medals at the Olympics, Paralympics, and Commonwealth Games.

Petitclerc said: "This is such a great achievement and we as a country should be proud that we recognise our Paralympic sport and our Paralympic athletes the same way we recognise our Olympic athletes."

Last month, Petitclerc joined the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) board of directors and the organisation's new president, David Legg, led the congratulations for her stunning achievement.

"On behalf of the Canadian Paralympic Committee, I want to congratulate Miss Petitclerc for making history yet again," he said.

"This is a well-deserved honour and the Canadian Paralympic Committee is very privileged to have Miss Petitclerc as a part of our board.

"I look forward to continuing to work with her to advance the Paralympic Movement in the future."

Petitclerc has received a great deal of awards and recognition over the years including the Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Female Athlete of the Year.

She has also been appointed Companion of the Order of Canada and received a Star on Canada's Walk of Fame.

Petitclerc also recently released a book titled "16 Days in Beijing" about her experience of the 2008 Games where she won five Paralympic gold medals and set two new world records.

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