Colette Bourgonje Honoured

Receives the Whang Youn Dai Achievement Award

Saskatoon's Colette Bourgonje is one of two people who were honoured with an achievement award at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.

Bourgonje and Japan's Endo Takayuki received the prestigious Whang Youn Dai Achievement Award during Sunday's closing ceremonies in Whistler. The award recognizes disabled athletes who "have demonstrated an exceptional level of determination to overcome their adversities through sport and the Paralympic Games".

Cross-country skier Bourgonje is a 10-time Paralympic medalist. The mission of the Whang Youn Dai Achievement Award is to enhance the will of people with a disability to conquer their adversities through the pursuit of excellence in sports and through the Paralympic Games. Colette completed this, her ninth and final Paralympic Games, with a silver medal in the 10K and a bronze medal in the 5K sit-skiing events, as well as a gold medal for the Whang Youn Dai Achievement Award.

(Pictured: Pavilion staff member Nancy Hubenig (left) and Colette Bourgonje, displaying her Olympic Silver medal in cross-country skiing.)