JEFF ADAMS

JEFF ADAMS

Jeff Adams was born in Brampton and began his sporting activities at an early age. By age 21, he had burst upon the international sporting scene as a very distinguished, elite athlete in wheelchair track.

Jeff’s goal is to win gold at the Olympics, and in 1992 he got his chance by qualifying to compete in the 1500 metres at the Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. Four gruelling years of training for that one dream race appeared that it might pay off, however, his golden dream was dashed when, with 300 metres to go, the push rim on his right wheel fell off leaving him stranded and his dream of an Olympic medal unfulfilled.

Not to be deterred, Jeff intensified his training even more, and in 1996 at the Paralympics in Atlanta, Georgia, Jeff proved to be the very best in the world; winning a gold medal in the 800 metres, a silver medal in the 400 metres and a bronze in the 4 x 400 metre relay. Jeff will attempt to fulfill his dream of Olympic gold at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia.

Jeff is the current World Record holder in the 400 metre race and in addition holds five Canadian records, including the 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1500 metres.

Jeff’s golden triumph in 1996 was the culmination of two tremendously successful years of competition. In 1995 Jeff received the Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association Male Athlete of theYear Award, presented to the athlete who has demonstrated an outstanding athletic achievement for the past year. In addition, he captured three gold medals in the 400, 800 and 1500 metres at the StokeMandeville International Wheelchair Games. He beat the best in the world again in the 1500 metres in Goteborg, Sweden at the International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) World Championships, proving again that he was indeed the world’s best.

When Jeff is not competing in Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association sanctioned events as a full time athlete, he logs even more miles as a motivational speaker. Jeff hopes that one day there will be complete inclusion with ablebodied athletes.

Inducted November 14, 1996