Chris Waddell

For the English footballer, see Chris Waddle.

Chris Waddell
Chris Waddell at the Visa hall of Fame induction ceremony in London, August 2012
Personal information
Full nameChristopher Waddell
Nationality United States
Born (1968-09-28) September 28, 1968 (age 56)
Eaglebrook, Mass.
Home townPark City, Utah
Medal record
Representing  United States
Paralympic Alpine Skiing
Paralympic Games
Silver medal – second place 1992 Albertville Men's Giant Slalom LW10
Gold medal – first place 1994 Lillehammer Men's Downhill LWX
Gold medal – first place 1994 Lillehammer Men's Giant Slalom LWX
Gold medal – first place 1994 Lillehammer Men's Slalom LWX
Gold medal – first place 1994 Lillehammer Men's Super-G LWX
Gold medal – first place 1998 Nagano Men's Downhill LW10
Silver medal – second place 1998 Nagano Men's Slalom LW10
Silver medal – second place 1998 Nagano Men's Super-G LW10
Silver medal – second place 2002 Salt Lake Men's Downhill LW10
Bronze medal – third place 2002 Salt Lake Men's Giant Slalom LW10
Bronze medal – third place 2002 Salt Lake Men's Slalom LW10
Paralympic Athletics
Paralympic Games
Silver medal – second place 2000 Sydney Men's 200 m T53

Chris Waddell (born September 28, 1968)[1] is an American Paralympic sit-skier and wheelchair track athlete. He is also a NBC Sports TV host.[2] He was a promising non-disabled skier while attending Middlebury College in Vermont, before a skiing accident left him paralysed from the waist down.[3]

As a sit-skier, Waddell won medals in the 1992, 1994, 1998 and 2002 Winter Paralympics.[4] As a wheelchair track racer, he represented the US at the 1996, 2000 and 2004 Summer Paralympics.[5] He won a silver medal in the 200m T53 event at the Sydney Paralympic Games. In 2004, he set a T53 world record time for this distance which still stands.[6]

In 2006, Waddell was inducted into the National Disabled Ski Hall of Fame by Disabled Sports USA. In 2010, he was inducted into the Paralympic Hall of Fame.[7]

On September 30, 2009, Waddell became the first paraplegic to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. On May 5, 2010 he was named the 2010 Shining Star of Perseverance Honoree by the WillReturn Council of Assurant Employee Benefits to honor and recognize individuals and groups who overcome disabilities to succeed in the workplace and society.[8]

Currently,[when?] Wadell has a foundation called "One Revolution" that is dedicated to seeing the world positively, by the use of "Nametags" that define oneself.

  1. ^ "Chris Waddell". teamusa.org. United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. Archived from the original on July 20, 2023.
  2. ^ Team USA
  3. ^ "Chris Waddell: Skiing, track and road racing". Athletes for Hope. Archived from the original on March 4, 2013. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
  4. ^ "Athlete Search Results: Chris Waddell". International Paralympic Committee. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
  5. ^ "Athlete Search Results: Christopher Waddell". International Committee. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
  6. ^ "IPC Athletics Records". International Paralympic Committee. Archived from the original on January 18, 2013. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
  7. ^ "Paralympic Hall of Fame Inductees 2010". International Paralympic Committee. Archived from the original on August 23, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  8. ^ TheStreet Archived October 6, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
    - National Underwriter Archived July 25, 2011, at the Wayback Machine