The 41-year-old from Quebec, who claimed 14 Paralympic gold medals in the T54 disability category in an incredible career, will attend all key preparation camps and competitions from January 2012, where she will work with Britain's top athletes, particularly the younger team members such as highly rated 16-year-old Jade Jones of Middlesbrough.

In her new role, Petitclerc will team up with her former coach Peter Eriksson, who is the current UK Athletics Paralympic head coach.

"When Peter first approached me I knew it was an opportunity I couldn't miss," said Petitclerc, who won a total of 21 Paralympic medals across five editions of the Games.

"I have a great passion for the sport and as an athlete I wanted to be the best in the world.

"As a coach I also want to work with the best in the world and I think that Peter and I, as well as the rest of the staff, share a real determination to succeed.

"I hope that in addition to offering advice in preparation and competition based on my own experiences, I can also share some of what I've learned along the way to help motivate and inspire our athletes to be the best they can be."

Petitclerc lost the use of both legs at just 13 when a heavy barn door fell on her but it was not long after the accident that she took up Paralympic sport and became began to dominate the sport of wheelchair racing.

Having won every major title available to her, Petitclerc (pictured right) retired shortly after taking five gold medals at the Beijing 2008 Paralympics but she has remained a major figure in the world of Paralympic sports and was last year elected to the board of the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC).


"In addition to building the best possible squad of athletes - which I believe we currently have following a strict funding review - we need to have a top class coaching team in place and with the addition of Chantal I think we're making that happen," said Eriksson, who is widely consider one of the best Paralympic coaches on the planet.

"Not only can she offer first rate coaching advice, but she can motivate, inspire and guide our athletes after a successful and lengthy career of her own."

The arrival has also been welcomed by numerous athletes in the ParalympicsGB team including double Beijing 2008 Paralympic medallist Shelly Woods.

"I think it's fantastic," said the T54 wheelchair racer.

"When I heard I just said 'no freakin' way!'

"I'm so amazed.

"Peter has been building this team for some time.

"He asked if there was still something missing and I said the only person that could make it even better was Chantal.

"I'm really excited and I'm still totally shocked; I've got so many questions to ask her.

"She's one of my idols and although she was one of my rivals when she was racing, I really looked up to her."

Petitclerc underlined her status as one of her countries top stars when she last year became the first female Paralympian to be inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.

She holds an Olympic gold medal - which she won in an 800 metre wheelchair racing demonstration event at Athens 2004 - and has numerous top accolades in her collection including the prestigious Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability prize and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Female Athlete of the Year trophy.

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

"We have high standards across all our sports and our mission statement is clear that we aim to send the best prepared team to every summer and winter Paralympic Games," added ParalympicsGB performance director Penny Briscoe.

"The addition of Chantal completes a strong staff team for athletics both on and off the track; London 2012 offers us an incredible opportunity to inspire and deliver lasting change in Paralympic sport in Great Britain and an athlete of Chantal's calibre can play a significant role by inspiring and advising athletes based on her own competition experiences, both good and bad."

Britain finished 18th in the athletics medal table at Beijing 2008 with Dave Weir winning their only two gold medals but under Eriksson, who joined shortly after, the team have improved dramatically and finished third at the Christchurch 2011 IPC World Athletics Championships in January.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
April 2011: Petitclerc given key Team Canada post for London 2012
November 2010: Petitclerc first female Paralympian inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
October 2010: Wheelchair racer Petitclerc joins Canadian Paralympic Committee board
December 2009: Another award for the incredible Petitclerc