Josh Dueck

Some spirits are simply unbreakable, and Josh Dueck’s is one of them. After a life-changing freestyle skiing accident in 2004 left him a T11 full paraplegic, Josh found renewed purpose through the support of mentor Rick Hansen. He dedicated himself to a new path of freedom and adventure, and by 2009, he was Para-Alpine World Champion. He went on to win a silver medal at the Vancouver 2010 Paralympics and X Games gold in 2011.

Then came the moment that captivated the world: in 2012, Josh became the first person to land a backflip on a sit-ski, earning him National Geographic Adventurer of the Year and viral fame. At Sochi 2014, on the 10th anniversary of his accident, he won silver and then gold in the Super Combined, later serving as Canada’s Flag Bearer for the Closing Ceremony. His journey came full circle in 2022 when he was named Chef de Mission for Team Canada at the Beijing Paralympics – a role befitting one of the most inspiring leaders in Canadian sport.