André Viger
Encyclopedia
André Viger, OC
, CQ
(September 27, 1952 - October 1, 2006) was a French Canadian
wheelchair
marathon
er and Paralympian
. He took part in five consecutive Summer Paralympics in athletics from 1980 to 1996, winning a total of three gold, three silver and four bronze medals.
Born in Windsor, Ontario
, Viger grew up in Sherbrooke, Quebec
. He lost the use of his legs following a traffic accident at age 20. He won the men's wheelchair division of the Boston Marathon
in 1984, 1986 and 1987. In 1987, he was made a Knight of the National Order of Quebec
. In 1989, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada
for being "a source of encouragement for young athletes and a role model for young people everywhere". In 1993, he was inducted into the Terry Fox Hall of Fame
, and in 2005, the Paralympic Hall of Fame.
After retiring from athletics, he began a career as a businessman and started a wheelchair manufacturing company. He died of cancer
on October 1, 2006.
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
, CQ
National Order of Quebec
The National Order of Quebec, termed officially in French as l'Ordre national du Québec, and in English abbreviation as the Order of Quebec, is a civilian honour for merit in the Canadian province of Quebec...
(September 27, 1952 - October 1, 2006) was a French Canadian
French Canadian
French Canadian or Francophone Canadian, , generally refers to the descendents of French colonists who arrived in New France in the 17th and 18th centuries...
wheelchair
Wheelchair
A wheelchair is a chair with wheels, designed to be a replacement for walking. The device comes in variations where it is propelled by motors or by the seated occupant turning the rear wheels by hand. Often there are handles behind the seat for someone else to do the pushing...
marathon
Marathon
The marathon is a long-distance running event with an official distance of 42.195 kilometres , that is usually run as a road race...
er and Paralympian
Paralympic Games
The Paralympic Games are a major international multi-sport event where athletes with a physical disability compete; this includes athletes with mobility disabilities, amputations, blindness, and Cerebral Palsy. There are Winter and Summer Paralympic Games, which are held immediately following their...
. He took part in five consecutive Summer Paralympics in athletics from 1980 to 1996, winning a total of three gold, three silver and four bronze medals.
Born in Windsor, Ontario
Windsor, Ontario
Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor...
, Viger grew up in Sherbrooke, Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
. He lost the use of his legs following a traffic accident at age 20. He won the men's wheelchair division of the Boston Marathon
Boston Marathon
The Boston Marathon is an annual marathon hosted by the U.S. city of Boston, Massachusetts, on Patriots' Day, the third Monday of April. Begun in 1897 and inspired by the success of the first modern-day marathon competition in the 1896 Summer Olympics, the Boston Marathon is the world's oldest...
in 1984, 1986 and 1987. In 1987, he was made a Knight of the National Order of Quebec
National Order of Quebec
The National Order of Quebec, termed officially in French as l'Ordre national du Québec, and in English abbreviation as the Order of Quebec, is a civilian honour for merit in the Canadian province of Quebec...
. In 1989, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
for being "a source of encouragement for young athletes and a role model for young people everywhere". In 1993, he was inducted into the Terry Fox Hall of Fame
Terry Fox Hall of Fame
The Terry Fox Hall of Fame recognizes "outstanding Canadians who have made extraordinary contributions to enriching the quality of life for people with physical disabilities". It is run by the Canadian Paraplegic Association. The Hall is named after Terry Fox, a cancer research activist who...
, and in 2005, the Paralympic Hall of Fame.
After retiring from athletics, he began a career as a businessman and started a wheelchair manufacturing company. He died of cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
on October 1, 2006.