The 31-year-old McKeever, a visually impaired skier who competes alongside his guide and brother Robin McKeever, was selected as the Best Male athlete for his outstanding feat of claiming three cross-country skiing gold medals.

Meanwhile, 28-year-old Woolstencroft, who was born missing her left arm below the elbow as well as both legs below the knees, was unsurprisingly named Best Female after becoming the first Canadian winter Paralympian to win five gold medals at a single Games.

Woolstencroft, the undisputed "golden girl" of the 2010 Paralympics, said: "I love my sport and I compete for the love of my sport.

"I'm proud to be part of the best ever Games and receiving this recognition tonight is icing on the cake."

The Best Debut award went to visually impaired skier Viviane Forest who, alongside guide Lindsay Debou, claimed an impressive five medals - including one gold - at Vancouver 2010.

The Canadian wheelchair curling team was selected Best Team after taking Canada's second consecutive gold medal.

Two coaching awards were handed to Vancouver 2010 Para-nordic coach Kaspar Wirz and para-athletics national talent development coach for Athletics Canada, David Greig.

There were also honorable mentions for Kathy Newman and Gail Hamamoto, who were both on the board of directors for the successful 2010 World Wheelchair Rugby Championships in Vancouver and Francois Gariepy, the founding president of OBNL Paramanic International who played a pivotal role in organising the 2010 UCI Road Para-Cycling World Championships in Quebec.



Henry Storgaard, chief executive of the CPC, said: "These athletes made the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games a significant moment in Canadian sport history and reaffirmed to the world that Team Canada is a strong competitor.

"I am so pleased we could honour them here today and give them the recognition they deserve for their incredible accomplishments.

"By their excellence, they have raised the profile of the Paralympic Movement and have inspired a whole nation."

Recipients of the four athlete awards were selected by the Flag Bearer Committee for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Paralympic Games as the official Canadian nominees for the International Paralympic Committee's Vancouver 2010 Winter Paralympic Games Awards.

Contact the writer of this story [email protected]


Related stories
August 2010: Canada slashes budget for Para-Nordic team despite McKeever success
June 2010: Canadian golden girl announces retirement
April 2010: Vancouver is a huge boost to disability sport claim Canadian Paralympic Committee
March 2010: Woolstencroft still coming to terms with five-star performance