Canadian Paralympic Committee celebrates the career of para-alpine ski great Viviane Forest and wishes her well in retirement

OTTAWA, April 2, 2013 /CNW/ - It is with great respect and admiration that the Canadian Paralympic Committee celebrates the career of para-alpine ski great Viviane Forest, who announced her retirement from competition recently - and wishes her well in her next chapter of life.

Forest was the first Canadian woman to win a gold medal at both the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games.

The 33-year-old skier with a visual impairment from Edmonton, Alta. is a three-time Paralympic gold medallist - once in downhill skiing and twice in goalball - and also won five medals at the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.

"On behalf of the Canadian Paralympic Committee, a heartfelt thank you to Viviane for her contributions to Paralympic sport and congratulations on her successful career," said David Legg, President of the Canadian Paralympic Committee. "Viviane will no doubt be missed on the Para-Alpine Ski Team, yet we know the program is in good hands and is poised to continue its winning tradition at the upcoming 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi, next year."

Nicknamed "The Falcon," Forest is a featured athlete in the Canadian Paralympic Committee's Super Athletes series. View her video here: http://www.paralympic.ca/en/Super-Athletes/The-Falcon.html

Forest announced her retirement March 29 at the Sport Chek Para-Alpine Canadian Championships in Sun Peaks, B.C., and took a celebratory run down the giant slalom course as a farewell to competitive ski racing, guided by skiing legend Nancy Greene Raine.

About the Canadian Paralympic Committee: The Canadian Paralympic Committee is a non-profit, private organization with 46 member sports organizations dedicated to strengthening the Paralympic Movement. The Canadian Paralympic Committee's vision is to be the world's leading Paralympic nation. Its mission is to lead the development of a sustainable Paralympic sport system in Canada to enable athletes to reach the podium at the Paralympic Games. By supporting Canadian Paralympic athletes and promoting their success, the Canadian Paralympic Committee inspires all Canadians with a disability to get involved in sport through programs delivered by its member organizations. For more information, visit www.paralympic.ca

SOURCE: Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC)