Paralympic Champion Kirby Cote to be Inducted to Canada Sports Hall of Fame
Kirby Cote, a seven-time Paralympic gold medalist, is among six athletes to be inducted to Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame this October.
Cote swam in the S13 category. She competed at three Paralympic Games, winning 13 medals, seven gold and six silver.
“I am honoured to be named to Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2024, representing Paralympic swimming,” Cote said in a press release. “These events bring me joy because I can thank and centre those who loved and supported me on my Paralympic journey.”
Cote, 40, won two gold and two silver at the Sydney Paralympics in 2000 at the age of 16. She set two world records there. Athens was the pinnacle of her career, claiming gold in the 50 free, 100 free, 400 free, 100 butterfly and 200 individual medley (the latter is SM13) plus two silvers. She returned four years later for two silver medals in Beijing.
Cote also won six gold medals across two IPC World Championships.
The Winnipeg native was inducted to the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame in 2018 and serves as the executive director of Accessible Sports Connection Manitoba.
“I would not be celebrating these accomplishments if it weren’t for my family or the blind and vision-impaired sports athletes and builders who paved the way for me,” Cote added. “I come from the birthplace of accessible sport in Canada and am proud to be part of the advocacy we continue to build.”
Joining Cote in the Class of 2024 are middle distance runner Angela Chalmers, figure skater Patrick Chan, tennis player Daniel Nestor, hockey player Vicky Sunohara and the late multisport athlete Fred Thomas. Dr. Guylaine Demers and Alex Nelson are in the builder category, and high jumper Debbie Brill will be recognized in the trailblazer category.
The 68th Annual Order of Sport Awards and induction will be Oct. 23 at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec.