Prior to the equestrian accident that left her paralyzed from the chest down, VernonB次元官网网址檚 Sonja Gaudet played a wide variety of sports, from basketball and volleyball to swimming, tennis and skiing.
Curling doesnB次元官网网址檛 appear because Gaudet never pushed or swept a rock in her life.
Rather than focus on limitations, Gaudet B次元官网网址� at age 31 and with support from her husband, two young kids aged six and three at the time of her accident, plus her community B次元官网网址� persevered and became CanadaB次元官网网址檚 most decorated Paralympic curler, winning three Paralympic gold medals and three world wheelchair curling championships.
Gaudet was announced on Wednesday, May 27, as one of the 11 members in the Class of 2020-21 to be inducted into CanadaB次元官网网址檚 Sports Hall of Fame.
B次元官网网址淭his whole journey has taken on a life of its own,B次元官网网址� said Gaudet. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been supported by so many people. IB次元官网网址檓 grateful to my family, my coaches and my teammates. Curling is such a brilliant team sport with great team dynamics. Those teammates became friends. ItB次元官网网址檚 been an experience IB次元官网网址檒l never forget.B次元官网网址�
Six athletes and five builders were chosen this year to signify and celebrate CanadaB次元官网网址檚 Sports Hall of FameB次元官网网址檚 65th anniversary year. Joining Gaudet as CanadaB次元官网网址檚 Sports Hall of FameB次元官网网址檚 Class of 2020/21 Inductees are:
* John B次元官网网址淛ackieB次元官网网址� Barrett - Athlete, Powerlifting and Special Olympian;
* Diane Jones Konihowski - Athlete, Athletics
* Lorie Kane - Athlete, Golf;
* Eric Lamaze and Hickstead - Team, Equestrian - Show Jumping;
* Steve Nash - Athlete, Basketball;
* Duncan Campbell - Builder, Wheelchair Rugby:
* Sheldon Kennedy - Builder, Ice Hockey;
* Judy Kent - Builder, Sport Administration;
* Willie OB次元官网网址橰ee - Builder, Ice Hockey;
* Ross Powless - Builder, Lacrosse.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e never been more proud of our sports history, our sports champions, and their community spirit, and we are formally recognizing these athletes and builders for living and sharing sports values B次元官网网址� CanadaB次元官网网址檚 shared values; respect, equality, fairness and openness,B次元官网网址� said Cheryl Bernard, Olympic curler and president and CEO of CanadaB次元官网网址檚 Sports Hall of Fame.
Said Gaudet, on being a member of this class: B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 such a diverse class that is being recognized and I think thatB次元官网网址檚 great. Congratulations to them all. IB次元官网网址檓 honoured to be going into the Hall of Fame with them.B次元官网网址�
Determined to improve accessibility for other people with physical disabilities in her community, Gaudet was introduced to wheelchair curling by chance when the Vernon Curling Club asked her for advice regarding renovating a wheelchair accessible washroom.
The club was preparing to host a beginnerB次元官网网址檚 wheelchair curling clinic, and GaudetB次元官网网址檚 interest was piqued. She ended up participating, and at the age of 37 discovered a passion and natural affinity for the sport, thanks to the persuasion of two longtime club members.
B次元官网网址淛anice Mori and Sharon Morrison were determined to get me out on the ice throwing rocks,B次元官网网址� laughed Gaudet. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 glad they were persistent and IB次元官网网址檓 grateful they persevered from that moment.B次元官网网址�
Gaudet won Paralympic gold in Turin, Italy, in 2006, Vancouver in 2010 and in 2014 in Sochi, Russia, where she was honoured to be CanadaB次元官网网址檚 flag bearer for the opening ceremonies. She was also part of a Canada Post postage stamp series, Women in Winter Sports, released prior to the 2018 Olympics and Paralympics in Korea.
She won world wheelchair gold in 2009, 2011 and 2013.
Gaudet is also a member of the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame, B.C. Sports Hall of Fame, Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame and Mission Hill (Vernon) School Hall of Fame.
B次元官网网址淚 feel like now I can just pause and reflect on everything,B次元官网网址� said Gaudet, when asked where being inducted into CanadaB次元官网网址檚 Sports Hall of Fame ranks on her list of accomplishments. B次元官网网址淭hey all hold so many special, different memories.B次元官网网址�
Gaudet serves as an inspirational speaker in schools and working as an accessibility specialist with the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, promoting B次元官网网址淎ccess for AllB次元官网网址� initiatives across the tourism industry in B.C. She is also an alumni ambassador with the Canadian Paralympic Committee and a peer support specialist with Spinal Cord Injury BC, which raises funds and awareness to improve accessible environments, recreation and experiences for everyone, regardless of their abilities.
The Canadian Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place sometime in 2021.
roger@vernonmorningstar.com
Like us on and follow us on .
