The 42-year-old wheelcharir racer from Saint-Marc-des-Carrières in Quebec won 21 Paralympics, including 14 gold, in a career that spanned Barcelona in 1992 until Beijing in 2008.

"I have such a strong attachment to the Commonwealth Games, dating all the way back to 1990 when I was a silver medalist in Auckland, New Zealand - the first time that events for elite athletes with a disability were included on the sport programme," said Petitclerc, who lost the use of both legs at the age of 13 when a heavy barn door fell on her.

"In 2006, I was honoured to serve as Team Canada's flag bearer at the Opening Ceremony for the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia.

"It was truly one of the highlights of my career."

Petitclerc won a gold medal in the 800 metres at those Games in Melbourne, adding to the one she had claimed four years earlier when the event was held in Manchester.

The announcement was made on CBC's Sports Day programme.

The decision to have a Paralympian lead the team is a major milestone in the integration of able-bodied and disability sport.

Appropriately, today's announcement was made to coincide with Canada's Sports Day which is aimed at celebrating sport at all levels.

"There are so many reasons to be thrilled with Chantal's appointment as our Chef de Mission in Glasgow," said Andrew Pipe, President of Commonwealth Games Canada.

"A former flag bearer, multiple medalist, and someone with a deep appreciation for the athlete experience at the highest levels of international competition.

"Not to mention the fact that Glasgow 2014 will feature more events for elite athletes with a disability than any previous Commonwealth Games."

Chantal Petitclerc is one of history's greatest ever wheelchair racers, winning 14 Paralympic gold medals

Petitclerc, voted Canada's athlete of the year in 2008 after winning five gold medals in the Beijing Paralympics, had been working in Britain for UK Athletics in the build-up to London 2012, acting as a coach and mentor.

She had been recruited by her former trainer Peter Eriksson, now the Paralympics head coach for UK Athletics.

Petitclerc will now leave her post to return home and assume her duties immediately in preparation for a first site visit to Glasgow that is expected to take place in February.

Canada had finished fourth at the last Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in 2010 with a total of 75 medals, including 26 gold.

It was their lowest total since the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, when they had won 62 medals.

Canada's Sports Minister Bal Gosa led the congratulations after Petitclerc's appointment was confirmed.

"On behalf of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Government of Canada, I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations to Chantal Petitclerc," he said.

"The Government of Canada recognises that our ever-inspiring athletes are an enormous source of pride for all Canadians and serve as excellent role models for our young people.

We have maintained record-level funding for the Canadian sport system, including our support for Commonwealth Games Canada, summer national sport organisations and Own the Podium.

"We want to ensure our athletes reach the podium at every possible opportunity.

"I encourage all Canadians to join me in congratulating Chantal Petitclerc as she begins the work of preparing our Canadian team for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow."

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December 2011: Canadian Paralympic Committee accept Petitclerc resignation after she joins UK Athletics