Wheelchair racing at the Olympics Olympics, held earlier that year. Athletes who finished in the top three of these competitions did not have the performances included in the overall medal count. However, unofficial medals were awarded to the competitors nevertheless in 1984 by Juan Antonio Samaranch, the International Olympic Committee president. The events were dropped prior to the 2008 Beijing Olympics and multiple Paralympic gold medallist Chantal Petitclerc stated the decision was a major set-back for the sport, as she favoured its official integration as an Olympic sport. At the inaugural event in 1984 Sharon Hedrick broke the IPC world record to win the women's
Canada at the 1900 Summer Olympics athletics, with Orton taking a gold and a bronze medal to tie the nation for 4th on the athletics medal leaderboard. Canada at the 1900 Summer Olympics The 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris were the first Olympics at which Canadian athletes participated. Two Canadians participated, although not as a national team (These were not introduced until later Olympics). Canada's Olympians were George Orton and Ronald J. MacDonald. Orton was the first Canadian to win a medal, finishing first in the 2500-metre steeplechase. He later finished third in the 400-metre hurdles and fifth in the 4000-metre steeplechase. Orton, who was at