Waddell Inducted into Paralympic Hall
WHISTLER, BC – One of the most decorated U.S. Adaptive Ski Team athletes of all time, Chris Waddell, was honored Sunday with induction into the Visa Paralympic Hall of Fame. The ceremony was held in Whistler in conjunction with the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.
"It's a great way to look back on my career and know I made an impact on the world of Paralympic sport," said Waddell. "It's a huge honor but I feel more humbled than I do honored. I didn't start with the idea of making it into the Hall of Fame. It was never a thought for me.
"But I did start with wanting to be the best in the world and wanting to do things that no one else had ever done," added Waddell.
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) selected three Paralympic greats for induction in 2010 including cross-country skier Tanja Kari of Finland, biathlon and cross country skiing coach Rolf Hettich of Germany and Waddell. The three inductees were nominated by member organizations of the IPC based on their athletic performance, history of fair play and participation in community service. Kari, Waddell and Hettich then were selected by the IPC’s Governing Board.
Waddell recently made international headlines for his successful climb of Mount Kilimanjaro in September, a first for a paraplegic. Paralyzed from the waist down after a skiing accident in 1988, he took up adaptive skiing and won twelve medals at four Paralympic Games including a sweep of the gold medals in 1994 at Lillehammer. He also competed at three Summer Paralympic Games winning silver in Sydney in 2000 in the 200 meter wheelchair event. The Massachusetts native has been a charismatic promoter for adaptive skiing and was a prominent ambassador for the Salt Lake City Games in 2002.
In addition to the Paralympic honor, Waddell will be inducted to the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame April 9 at ceremonies in Beaver Creek, CO.
"Chris Waddell was a model athlete," said U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association President and CEO Bill Marolt. "Not only did he have the perseverance and drive to accomplish great athletic goals, but has given back to their sport his entire career. It was an honor to work with him as a member of the U.S. Adaptive Ski Team."
"Visa is again proud to be the presenting sponsor of this unique celebration honoring the achievements and spirit of Paralympic athletes and their coaches," said Antonio Lucio, Chief Marketing Officer, Visa Inc. "As the partner of the Paralympic Hall of Fame, we understand the power of the Paralympic Movement and its exceptional ability to bring people, communities and nations together in peaceful sports competition. This sponsorship reaffirms Visa’s commitment to the Paralympic Movement and to Paralympic athletes of the past, present and future."
The Paralympic Hall of Fame ensures that a permanent record and institutional memory is kept of top Paralympic athletes and coaches of all time, thus honoring the performers who achieved a high and sustained level of success in the Paralympic Games.
"The IPC is proud to induct Chris Waddell, Tanja Kari and Rolf Hettich into the Visa Paralympic Hall of Fame," said IPC President Sir Philip Craven. "It is a thrill to be recognizing these three individuals, and I congratulate their outstanding achievements on and off the field of play. The Paralympic Hall of Fame not only celebrates excellence in competition, but it offers young athletes a positive role model to look up to in their future endeavors in Paralympic sport. The IPC thanks Visa for its continued support and commitment."
In order to be eligible, athletes and coaches must have achieved a very high and sustained level of success at the Paralympic Games. They must also have consistently displayed a spirit of fair play, and made a positive contribution to the Paralympic Movement. They must have ceased their participation in Paralympic sporting competition for at least four years (one Paralympic Games cycle).
"You stand on the shoulders of those who went before you and I certainly hope there are people standing on my shoulders," Waddell added. "People have obviously taken what I have done and gone way beyond what ever I thought I could do. That to me is the beauty of sport.
"Sport for me is my life and it defined my life. It was the thing after my accident that allowed me to reclaim my life."
Paralympic Hall of Fame election and induction ceremonies are held in conjunction with the Paralympic Games, and consequently take place only during those years in which the Paralympic Games are held. The Paralympic Hall of Fame currently exists as a virtual Hall of Fame on the IPC Website.
Visa has been a Worldwide Paralympic Partner and sponsor of the Paralympic Games since 2002 and recently extended its Paralympic Games sponsorship through 2012. Visa also is a worldwide sponsor of the Olympic Games and the exclusive payment card and official payment service for the Olympic Games and through 2020.
Visa Paralympic Hall of Fame Inductees
2006
Jouko Grip (Finland) – nordic skiing
Ulla Renvall (Sweden) – nordic skiing (coach and guide)
Annemie Schneider (Germany) – alpine skiing
2008
Connie Hansen (Denmark) – athletics
Claudia Hengst (Germany) – swimming
Peter Homann (Australia) – cycling
Kevin McIntosh (Australia) – cycling
André Viger (Canada) – athletics
2010
Rolf Hettich - nordic skiing (coach)
Tanja Kari - biathlon
Chris Waddell - alpine skiing
