In 1973, then 20-year-old André Viger was involved in a traffic accident which left him a paraplegic. Within a year, driven by his strength of character and a desire to raise his self-esteem, he was on a vigorous training program. In 1979, he won his first marathon, a success that inaugurated a highly productive athletic career, during which he won top prizes in a host of national and international competitions.
At the Barcelona Para-Olympic Games in 1992, at the age of 39, Viger won the gold medal in the 10,000-metre event and took two silver medals in the 4x100-metre and 4x400-metre relays.
Viger regularly gives talks about his life story and about the lessons he has learned about life, fear, self-esteem and new challenges. Business leaders, students and retired people still benefit from his drive and energy.
Viger is the co-owner of an orthopedic device store in Montreal (La Maison André Viger) and he is honorary president of the Fondation André Viger, whose mission is to promote wheelchair racing to disabled people in Quebec.