Rick Hansen

Rick Hansen is a Canadian Paralympian, activist, and philanthropist known for his wheelchair racing achievements and his advocacy for people with disabilities.

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Profession :

Paralympian

Birthday :

August 26, 1957

Age :

67

Rick Hansen, a Canadian track and field athlete, activist, and philanthropist, became a paraplegic at the age of 15 due to a spinal cord injury from a pickup truck accident. Throughout the 1980s, he gained recognition as a successful wheelchair racer, earning six Paralympic medals and three world championships. Hansen was named Canada’s Disabled Athlete of the Year three times and received the Lou Marsh Trophy in 1983. He is best known for his Man in Motion World Tour, a 26-month wheelchair journey spanning 34 countries and over 40,000 km, which aimed to raise awareness and funds for spinal cord research. Hansen played a crucial role in founding the Rick Hansen Foundation and establishing the international Rick Hansen Institute. Additionally, he was one of the final torchbearers in the 2010 Winter Olympics.