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History
- History
- Evolution of the number of athletes participating since 1984
- Awards, trophies and tributes
- Défi sportif spokespersons
- Artists associated to the Défi sportif benefit concert
- Défi sportif Honorary Presidents
- Portrait of Monique Lefebvre, Défi sportif founder
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 more than 85 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 way to achieve this goal 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)
- 25th 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
- Chantal Peticlerc (Since 1998)
- Jean-Marie Lapointe (Since 2002)
- Debra Arbec (2003 à 2007)
- Jean-Pierre Coalier (1999 to 2007)
- Alain Choquette (1999 and 2000)
- Patrick Huard (1996 and 1997)
- Yvon Deschamps (1984 to 1997)
Artists associated to the Défi sportif benefit concert
- Les 7 doigts de la main (2010)
- André-Philippe Gagnon (1996, 2002)
- André Gagnon (1985)
- Beau Dommage (1995)
- Broue (1986)
- Bruno Pelletier (2001)
- Claude Dubois (1988, 1998)
- Claude Léveillée (1985)
- Corpuscule Danse (2009)
- Dan Bigras (2005)
- Daniel Lavoie (1998, 2008)
- Le Festival mondial du cirque de demain de Paris (2011)
- François Morency (2003)
- Gilles Vigneault (1990)
- Ginette Reno (1987)
- Gregory Charles (2004)
- Isabelle Boulay (2000)
- Jean-Pierre Ferland (1992)
- Judi Richards (1997, 2008)
- Laurence Jalbert (2005)
- Lévesque et Turcotte (2004)
- Lise Dion (1999)
- Louise Forestier (1994)
- Luce Dufault (1998)
- Luck Mervil (2007)
- Lynda Lemay (1996)
- Martin Dubé (2001)
- Mario Jean (2000)
- Michel Mpambara (2002)
- Michel Rivard (1991, 1999)
- Nathalie Choquette (2006)
- Premier Ciel (2009)
- Pierre Lapointe (2006)
- Pierre Légaré (1998)
- Richard Séguin (1997)
- Robert Charlebois (1989, 1998)
- Steeve Diamond (2005)
- Sylvain Cossette (2003)
- Toulouse (2008)
- Yvon Deschamps (1993, 2008)
- Zachary Richard (1999)
Défi sportif Honorary Presidents
- Normand Boivin, Aéroports de Montréal (2009 to 2011)
- Richard Cacchione, Hydro-Québec Production (2008)
- David Pinsonneault, Banque Nationale (2007)
- Alain Mayrand, Groupe conseil AON (2006)
- Chantal Bélanger, Banque Laurentienne (2004 and 2005)
- Richard Côté, Associé, Brochu et Labre (2002)
- Cora Tsouflidou, Les restaurant Chez Cora (2002 et 2003)
- Gaétan Frigon, Société des alcools du Québec (2001)
- Pierre Bibeau, Société du Parc des Îles (1997 to 2000)
- Gérald Janneteau, Le Réseau des Sports (1994 to 1996)
- Guy Langlois, Unigesco (1991 to 1993)
- Raymond Bachand, Culinar (1998 to 1990)
- André Caillé, Gaz Métropolitain (1987)
- Hector St-Louis, Brasserie O’Keefe (1986)
- Jean La Couture, Malette, Benoît, Boulanger, Rondeau et Associés (1985)
- Bruno Riverain, Caisse Centrale Desjardins du Québec (1984)
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.
Since 1981, 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. It is in that spirit that Monique Lefebvre launched the Défi sportif des athlètes handicapés in 1984, with the aim to promote an active life and a dynamic and positive image of handicapped people.
Today, with a budget of $2.1M, of which only 25% come from the various levels of government, the Défi sportif has won widespread acclaim. The international event it has become is supported by 900 volunteers and numerous partners and brings together about 4,000 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."
Here are some of the numerous honours which have punctuate her route in the last few years:
- Guest speaker on Colloque 2.0 RéadaptATion | Aides techniques (May 2011)
- 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 (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)
- Cathleen Lyle Murray Award, from the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy (2003)
- Robert-Lefebvre Award, from the Association québécoise des sports en fauteuil roulant (2003)
- La Presse Personality of the week (May 2002)
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.