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Brief History

Since 1975, AlterGo has been supporting the social integration of people living with disabilities through the elimination of barriers forbidding access to leisure. Grouping 87 organizations, AlterGo is the voice of over 150,000 persons of all ages and with all types of disabilities. Because everyone is entitled to a chance!

Exclusion and pity never solved anything. To give every person with a disability the opportunity to live fully through sports, the imagination had to be fired up. And what better antidote than allowing disabled people to give their full measure, to show what they can do? That goal gave birth to the Défi sportif in 1984.

But to change the way people think is never-ending work. One example among many is the obvious difference in treatment and influence of the Olympic medal as compared to the Paralympic medal. The Défi sportif mission is therefore more relevant than ever. The thousands of athletes are the best placed and the most gifted persons to change perceptions and achieve this mission. In a more discreet but vital role, the precious partners, collaborators and volunteers also know to shout loud and clear the importance of promoting sport. Thanks to all who joined the team over the years and who make this great human adventure possible. We are proud to note, many years later, that the Défi sportif is an innovative event, which has been able to distinguish itself, to last, and finally dominate.

And since it keeps on growing and there are many battles to fight together, it is here to stay! Long live the Défi sportif!

Evolution of the number of athletes participating since 1984

Awards, trophies and tributes

• Soirée des Lauréats montréalais, Finalist, Sport competition, 2007
• Award from the Canadian Cycling Association (CCA) in the “Event – Paracycling” category, 2007
• Soirée des Lauréats montréalais, Finalist, Sport competition par excellence, 1999
• Soirée des Lauréats montréalais, Finalist, Sport competition par excellence, 1998
• International event of the year at the du Gala Sports-Québec, 1998.
• 25^th Gala Sports-Québec, International event of the year – Wheelchair, 1997
• Gala Sports-Québec, International event par excellence, 1996-1997
• Soirée des Lauréats montréalais, Finalist, Sport competition par excellence, 1995

Défi sportif spokespersons

• Yvon Deschamps, 1984 to 1997
• Yvon Deschamps and Patrick Huard, in 1996 and 1997
• Chantal Petitclerc, from 1998 to today
• Chantal Petitclerc, Jean-Pierre Coallier and Alain Choquette, in 1999 and 2000
• Chantal Petitclerc and Jean-Pierre Coallier, in 2001
• Chantal Petitclerc, Jean-Pierre Coallier and Jean-Marie Lapointe, in 2002
• Chantal Petitclerc, Debra Arbec, Jean-Pierre-Coallier and Jean-Marie Lapointe, from 2003 to 2007
• Chantal Petitclerc and Jean-Marie Lapointe, from 2008 to today

Artists associated to the Défi sportif benefit concert

• 2010
  • Les 7 doigts de la main
• 2009
  • Premier Ciel
  • Corpuscule Danse
• 2008
  • Judi Richards
  • Yvon Deschamps
  • Toulouse
  • Daniel Lavoie
• 2007
  • Luck Mervil
• 2006
  • Nathalie Choquette
  • Pierre Lapointe
• 2005
  • Steeve Diamond
  • Laurence Jalbert
  • Dan Bigras
• 2004
  • Lévesque et Turcotte
  • Gregory Charles
• 2003
  • Sylvain Cossette
  • François Morency
• 2002
  • André-Philippe Gagnon
  • Michel Mpambara
• 2001
  • Bruno Pelletier
  • Martin Dubé
• 2000
  • Isabelle Boulay
  • Mario Jean
• 1999
  • Lise Dion
  • Michel Rivard
  • Zachary Richard
• 1998
  • Claude Dubois
  • Daniel Lavoie
  • Luce Dufault
  • Robert Charlebois
  • Pierre Légaré
• 1997
  • Richard Séguin
  • Judy Richards
• 1996
  • Lynda Lemay
  • André-Philippe Gagnon
• 1995
  • Beau Dommage
• 1994
  • Louise Forestier
• 1993
  • Yvon Deschamps
• 1992
  • Jean-Pierre Ferland
• 1991
  • Michel Rivard
• 1990
  • Gilles Vigneault
• 1989
  • Robert Charlebois
• 1988
  • Claude Dubois
• 1987
  • Ginette Reno
• 1986
  • Broue
• 1985
  • André Gagnon
  • Claude Léveillée
• 1984
  • No benefit concert

Défi sportif Honorary Presidents

• 2010
  • Normand Boivin, Aéroports de Montréal
• 2009
  • Normand Boivin, Aéroports de Montréal
• 2008
  • Richard Cacchione, Hydro-Québec Production
• 2007
  • David Pinsonneault, National Bank
• 2006
  • Alain Mayrand, AON Consulting
• 2005
  • Chantal Bélanger, Laurentian Bank
• 2004
  • Chantal Bélanger, Laurentian Bank
• 2003
  • Richard Côté, Partner, Brochu & Labre
  • Cora Tsouflidou, Chez Cora Restaurants
• 2002
  • Richard Côté, Partner, Brochu et Labre
  • Cora Tsouflidou, Chez Cora Restaurants
• 2001
  • Gaétan Frigon, Société des alcools du Québec
• 2000
  • Pierre Bibeau, Société du Parc des Îles
• 1998
  • Pierre Bibeau, Société du Parc des Îles
• 1997
  • Pierre Bibeau, Société du Parc des Îles
• 1996
  • Gérald Janneteau, Le Réseau des Sports
• 1995
  • Gérald Janneteau, Le Réseau des Sports
• 1994
  • Gérald Janneteau, Le Réseau des Sports
• 1993
  • Guy Langlois, Unigesco
• 1992
  • Guy Langlois, Unigesco
• 1991
  • Guy Langlois, Unigesco
• 1990
  • Raymond Bachand, Culinar
• 1989
  • Raymond Bachand, Culinar
• 1988
  • Raymond Bachand, Culinar
• 1987
  • André Caillé, Gaz Métropolitain
• 1986
  • Hector St-Louis, O’Keefe Brewery
• 1985
  • Jean La Couture, Mallette, Benoît, Boulanger, Rondeau et Associés
• 1984
  • Bruno Riverain, Caisse Centrale Desjardins du Québec

Portrait of Monique Lefebvre, Défi sportif founder

Monique Lefebvre is a committed citizen who distinguished herself through her work with people living with disabilities. Her leadership, her determination, her great rallying qualities have contributed to change mentalities.

For 27 years now, Monique has lead AlterGo, a community organisation bringing together over 85 Montréal groups preoccupied with access to leisure for people living with all types of disabilities, whether physical, intellectual, auditory, visual or psychological. It is in that spirit that Monique Lefebvre launched the Défi sportif des athlètes handicapés 25 years ago, with the aim to promote an active life and a dynamic and positive image of handicapped people.

Today, with a budget exceeding $1.8M, of which only 20% come from the various levels of government, the Défi sportif has won widespread acclaim. The international event it has become is supported by 800 volunteers and numerous partners and brings together over 3,000 athletes with all types of disabilities.

Monique Lefebvre loves to build, establish links, innovate, convince rather than denounce, join with others rather than divide. With the political world, city personnel, sponsors, sport federations or other organisations, Monique has adopted the following maxim: Alone, I go faster; together, we go further.

Awards won by Monique Lefebvre

Here are some of the numerous honours which have punctuate her route in the last few years.

• Thérèse-Daviau Award (2007)
• Guest speaker on “Growing on rehabilitation” at the Canadian Conference on Rehabilitation (2007)
• Her work and achievements were honoured by L’actualité through a coverage of the Défi sportif (May 2006)
• Honours from Association des diplômés de l’Université de Montréal to highlight her professional accomplishments and her contribution to the reputation of Université de Montréal (2005)
• La Presse Personality of the week (May 2002)
• Cathleen Lyle Murray Award, from the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy
• Robert-Lefebvre Award, from the Association québécoise des sports en fauteuil roulant

In spite of all those honours, Monique keeps on, stressing that her true reward remains the great joy expressed by the athletes during the Défi sportif and the people affected by the achievements of AlterGo.