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Viviane Forest

Multisport Para Athlete- Inducted 2025

Viviane Forest, born on May 14, 1979, in Greenfield Park, Quebec, is a trailblazing Canadian Paralympian who achieved the rare feat of winning gold medals at both the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games. Born with only 4% vision, Viviane's determination and athletic prowess have made her one of Canada's most celebrated Paralympic athletes.

Early Life and Introduction to Sports

From a young age, Viviane was passionate about sports. At just four years old, she told her grandfather of her dream to compete in the Olympics. Throughout her youth, she participated in a variety of sports, including hockey, ringette, karate, judo, track and field, cycling, and swimming at the provincial level. Her athletic journey took a significant turn when she discovered goalball, a sport designed specifically for athletes with visual impairments.

Goalball Career

Viviane quickly excelled in goalball, joining the Canadian National Women's Team in 1997. Her achievements in the sport are remarkable:

  • Paralympic Gold Medals:
    • Sydney 2000 Summer Paralympics
    • Athens 2004 Summer Paralympics
  • World Championships:
    • Silver Medal at the 2002 IBSA World Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
    • Silver Medal at the 2003 World Championships in Quebec City, Canada
  • Pan American Games:
    • Silver Medal at the 2001 Pan American Games in South Carolina, USA

Viviane retired from goalball in 2005 after suffering a concussion but remained passionate about sports and competition.

Transition to Para-Alpine Skiing

After moving to Edmonton, Alberta, Viviane discovered a new passion for alpine skiing. Despite starting competitive skiing later than most athletes, her natural talent and dedication quickly propelled her to the national level. In 2007, she joined the Canadian Para-Alpine Skiing Development Team and, after just one year, was invited to join the national squad in 2008.

Paralympic Success in Alpine Skiing

At the 2010 Vancouver Paralympic Winter Games, Viviane made history:

  • Medaled in All Five Alpine Events in the visually impaired category
    • Gold Medal: Downhill
    • Silver Medals: Super-G, Super Combined, Slalom
    • Bronze Medal: Giant Slalom

Her performance was particularly heroic as she competed despite significant injuries, including a broken wrist and a concussion sustained during the Games. Her determination earned her the Best Games Debut award at the 2010 Canadian Paralympic Sport Awards. With this achievement, Viviane became the first Canadian woman to win gold medals at both the Summer and Winter Paralympics.

World Cup and World Championship Achievements

Viviane's success extended beyond the Paralympics:

  • 2009 IPC World Cup Circuit:
    • Overall World Cup Crystal Globe winner
    • Crystal Globes in Downhill, Super Combined, and Giant Slalom
    • 17-time World Cup winner, winning 13 of her first 14 races
  • World Championships:
    • Gold Medal in Super Combined at the 2009 IPC World Championships in Kangwon Land, Korea
    • Silver and Bronze Medals at the 2013 IPC World Championships in La Molina, Spain

Retirement and Legacy

Persistent injuries led Viviane to retire from competitive skiing in 2013. Her final run was at the Canadian National Championships, where Olympic champion Nancy Greene Raine served as her honorary guide.

Post-retirement, Viviane became a Registered Massage Therapist and pursued her passion for art, painting landscapes inspired by her travels. She remains actively involved in sports, coaching goalball and participating in adaptive ski programs. Viviane also dedicates time to public speaking, inspiring audiences with her story of perseverance and success.

Honors and Recognition

  • Inducted into the Canadian Paralympic Hall of Fame in 2019
  • 2010 Best Games Debut at the Canadian Paralympic Sport Awards
  • 2004 Medal of Honour from the Quebec National Assembly
  • Multiple awards recognizing her athletic achievements and contributions to sport

Viviane Forest's extraordinary career, marked by her historic achievements and unwavering determination, has left an indelible mark on Canadian sports. Her ability to overcome adversity and excel at the highest levels in two different sports serves as an inspiration to athletes and non-athletes alike. Her induction into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame celebrates not only her athletic accomplishments but also her enduring impact on the community.