Birthplace: Porcupine Plain, SK
Birth date: 1/17/62
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 98lbs
Profession: Teacher, Saskatoon Board of Education & Stentor Youth Olympic Program Speaker
Events: 2.5 km, 5 km, 10 km
Class: LW10
Coach: Jeff Whiting
Club: Saski
Carded: A

Colette Bourgonje is one of Canada's great wheelchair athletes, a veteran of 2 Summer and 2 Winter Paralympic Games. She has won numerous medals at the International Paralympic Committee World Athletics Championships and the Summer Paralympic Games, including bronze in 100 m and 200 m in 1996. Bourgonje was triple silver medalist at 1994 IPC World Athletic Championships. Throughout her life, Colette has broken down many barriers. As a youngster, she played hockey with the boys, ignoring the jeers of her opponents. Later, she was the first student in a wheelchair to graduate with a degree in physical education at the University of Saskatchewan. In 1996 she won the Individual Breakthrough Award presented by the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity. She is now actively involved in recruiting new athletes for the Saskatchewan Wheelchair Sport Association, and visits schools to talk about the opportunities available to parlympic athletes. Inspiration: She really enjoys the sport of cross country skiing. GeKing outdoors and enjoying nature and the trails is motivating in itself. Conlments: In September 1996, I was "A" carded, and competed in the Atlanta Paralympic Games where I won two bronze medals, and competed in the Marathon. Personal Philosophy: "Work hard, train hard, and don't forget to thank the people that helped you along the way. "

Competition History:

• 1992 Winter Paralympic Games,Tignes, France 2.5 km 6th
• 1992 Winter Paralympic Games,Tignes,France 5 km 6th
• 1992 Winter Paralympic Games, Tignes, France 10 km 6th
• 1994 Winter Palympic Games, Lillehammer,Norway 2.5 km 4th
• 1994 Winter Paralympic Games, Lillehammer,Norway5 km 4th
• 1994 Winter Paralympic Games, Lillehammer,Norway10 km 4th
• 1996 World Championships, Sunne, Sweden 2.5 km 4th
• 1996 World Championships, Sunne, Sweden 5 km 4th
• 1996 World Championships, Sunne, Sweden 10 km 3rd
• 1997 Canadian Championships,North Battleford, SK 2.5 km 1st