Mr. Speaker, André Viger, an outstanding wheelchair athlete, has died at the age of 54.
The victim of a car accident in June 1973 that left him a paraplegic, he began a long fight to resume an active life. He chose to become involved in wheelchair racing and raised the sport's profile, paving the way for the athletes who followed.
His courage was recognized on numerous occasions. In 1985 he was named athlete of the year at the Sports Québec gala, in 1987 he was made a chevalier of the Ordre national du Québec, in 1989 he was made an officer of the Order of Canada and in 1993 he was inducted into the Terry Fox Hall of Fame. His determination also led him to win several paralympic medals, including three in Los Angeles in 1984, one in Seoul in 1988 and one in Barcelona in 1992.
The Bloc Québécois pays tribute to this great athlete, who pioneered the development of wheelchair racing.