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| Human Interest | |
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Sport Specific Information | |
| Name of coach | Jean Laroche [personal], CAN, from 1992 |
Further Personal Information | |
| Languages | English, French |
| Residence | Sherbrooke, QC, CAN |
General Interest | |
| Awards and honours | She was named Female Athlete of International Excellence for 2011 at the Sports Gala de l'Estrie in Canada. She received the same accolade in 2012. (lapresse.ca, 07 Feb 2013) In 2006 and 2007 she received the Fred Begley Memorial Trophy, awarded by Athletics Canada for the best athlete in the marathon event. (dianeroy.com, 02 Mar 2010) |
| Other information | BEIJING RERUN She initially won a gold medal in the T54 5000m at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, but the International Paralympic Committee [IPC] ordered the race to be rerun after three NPCs protested the result because a collision on the penultimate lap had taken six athletes out of contention. The decision came after the medal ceremony had taken place, so Roy had to give back her gold medal. In the rerun she finished second, 0.01 seconds behind winner Amanda McGrory of the United States of America. (theglobeandmail.com, 02 Sep 2012; dianeroy.com, 02 Mar 2010) OTHER ACTIVITIES She has served as an ambassador for the Quebec Spinal Cord and Motor Functions Foundation in Canada. (Facebook profile, 30 Sep 2019) |
Sport Specific Information | |
| Why this sport? | She took up the sport after meeting Canadian Para shot putter Jacques Martin. "He [Martin] introduced me to his coach, which allowed me to start my training with the best of the best. He was already working with [Canadian wheelchair racer] Andre Viger and several of the best Canadian athletes." |
General Interest | |
| Most influential person in career | Canadian wheelchair racer Andre Viger. (Athlete, 06 Nov 2019) |
| Hero / Idol | Canadian wheelchair racer Andre Viger. (Athlete, 06 Nov 2019) |
Sport Specific Information | |
| When and where did you begin this sport? | She got involved in Para athletics at age 21 in Sherbrooke, QC, Canada. |
International Debut | |
| Year | 1994 |
| Tournament | World Championships |
| Location | Berlin, GER |
General Interest | |
| Nicknames | Didi, The Warhorse (paralympic.ca, 26 Aug 2016; Athlete, 07 Sep 2010) |
| Sporting philosophy / motto | "Attitude is everything." (Athlete, 17 Jul 2017) |
Impairment Information | |
| Origin of Impairment | Acquired |
| Classification | T54 |
International Debut | |
| Competing for | Canada |
General Interest | |
| Impairment | She has paraplegia after falling off an all-terrain vehicle at age 17. (Athlete, 06 Nov 2019; paralympic.ca, 26 Aug 2016) |
Further Personal Information | |
| Higher education | Administration Studies - University of Sherbrooke: Canada |
Impairment Information | |
| Type of Impairment | Spinal Cord Injuries |
Further Personal Information | |
| Family | Son Emile [2015] |
Sport Specific Information | |
| Club / Team | Athletisme Sherbrooke: Canada |
General Interest | |
| Memorable sporting achievement | Winning a total of five medals at the Paralympic Games in 2004 and 2008. (Athlete, 06 Nov 2019) |
| Hobbies | Travelling, shopping, cooking. (Facebook profile, 28 Jan 2021) |