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about Chris Waddell

Latest NEWS

PARK CITY , Utah - Chris Waddell, paralympian and five-time gold medalist contemplates Kilimanjaro ascent.  Be there and follow the adventure from the very beginning by a visit to the climb website...

or by reading more about it here in Chris' new weblog...

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History

In 1988 as a freshman ski racer at Middlebury College Chris broke his back in a freak accident on the hill. Two months later he returned to school and three days short of the accident's one year anniversary he started skiing in a monoski. Less than two years after learning to monoski he was named to the US Disabled Ski Team. Chris remained a member of the Middlebury College Ski Team all four years, and captained the team his senior year.

Outside Magazine asked, "Could [Chris] be the World's Greatest Athlete?", People named him one of "The Fifty Most Beautiful People in the World," and Skiing called him one of "The 25 Greatest Skiers in North America ." He was the first Paralympic finalist for the Sullivan Award, an award given by the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) to the top amateur athlete in the country. In his career Chris has won more Paralympic medals (12) than any male skier in history. He's a World Champion in two vastly different sports (alpine skiing in the winter and track in the summer). In total he's won 13 medals at the Paralympics (12 winter, 1 summer) and nine at the World Championships (6 winter, 3 summer).

It is difficult to choose which was Chris's most impressive season. In 1998 he won a gold and two silvers at the Paralympics in Nagano , Japan and a gold and a bronze at the track World Championships in Birmingham , England . In 1994 he swept all four skiing events at the Paralympics in Lillehammer , Norway and then won a silver medal at the track World Championships in Berlin , Germany .

Credited with revolutionizing the sport of monoskiing Waddell has conducted camps for aspiring disabled skiers throughout the country for the last eleven years.

Prior to the 2002 Winter Games Chris worked closely with the Salt Lake Organizing Committee. Cindy McHale, promotions director for the Paralympics said, "Chris's contract stated that he would be the 'face of the Paralympics'. He was the face, heart and soul. His ability to capture and communicate the Olympic and Paralympic ideals prior to the Games inspired and motivated crowds, resulting in record attendance."

Chris is an entertaining and motivating speaker who draws on his personal experiences and has the unique ability to convey those experiences in a way that can be shared by all. Volney Taylor, retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Dun and Bradstreet Corporation said, "Chris Waddell's talk to our top management group was outstanding. He grabbed his audience's attention immediately and delivered his inspirational life story in a warm, human and articulate manner. His presentation received our highest post-conference survey score."

At the site where the Olympic ideal was born, Chris finished his Paralympic career. After seven Games it felt complete to end his career in Athens , Greece .

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Today

Motivational Speaker throughout the World

Click Here to Contact Chris for Availability and Rate Information

Past and Current Spokesman for:

AbilityPLUS Inc.

National Ability Center

The Hartford Financial Services

Time Warner Cable

DaimlerChrysler

Matrix Essentials

Utah Power

The International Paralympic Committee

US Paralympics

The Salt Lake Organizing Committee

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Testimonials

“One Paralympian stood out. He promoted the event from the beginning, making appearances anywhere we asked. He helped raise donations. He took days to shoot images for our Paralympic videos. Chris Waddell, a gold medal athlete from prior Paralympics, would not only compete in our Paralympics, he would help us carry to the public. Chris had been injured in a skiing accident years before; no paraplegic, he skied the mono-ski that is a familiar feature at the Utah ski resorts. And he skied very well. He explained that his greatest compliment had come from an able-bodied competitor who had seen him training on the slopes; he simply had said: “nice turns.” Paralympians don’t want congratulations for their “courage” or for how well the do “given their disability.” They want to be recognized for their ability, not their disability.”

- Mitt Romney, President and CEO of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee. Governor of Massachusetts. Presidential candidate.  From Turnaround: Crisis, Leadership, and the Olympic Games.

“Chris Waddell’s talk to our top management group was outstanding. He grabbed his audience’s attention immediately and delivered his inspirational life story in a warm, human and articulate manner. His presentation received our highest post-conference survey score.”

- Volney Taylor, retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Dun and Bradstreet Corporation

“Chris Waddell is the whole package. In Chris you find an accomplished individual; period. He presents himself extraordinarily well and is an eloquent motivator and spokesperson”'

- Tom Shepherd, EVP Marketing and Sponsorships, Visa International

"Chris Waddell has used his wonderful story of becoming the most decorated Paralympic skier and possibly the only World Champion in both winter and summer Olympic sports as the basis for a compelling and motivating message for all of us who strive to do better".

- James R. Clark, Dean, Bill and Vieve Gore School of Business, Westminster College, Salt Lake City, Utah - Retired Chief Planning Officer, American Stores Company, Chair, The Nature Conservancy of Utah

"Chris possesses the unique speaker's talent of connecting with his audiences through powerful personal stories, charm, humor, and surprising analogies and references.  He touches your heart, soul and mind with a lasting imprint.

- Carol A. Harnett, AVP, National Practice Leader, The Hartford

“Chris spoke at an event we put together for about 60 healthcare CEO's. It was poignant, thought provoking and inspirational. He has an ability to deliver important thoughts in the context of personal stories that really hit home with a broad audience. Several of the audience members commented that it was the best speaker they had ever seen, and were thankful to be able to hear his story.”

- Bob More, Partner, Domain Venture Capital

"Chris Waddell is a fabulous motivational speaker as he speaks from the heart.  His story is one that all of us cannot imagine happening but he is able to tell it with an upbeat, honest, and "you too can doit" attitude.  He makes you feel that anything is possible and to not dwell on the bad but to always look for the good. Most importantly, he teaches each of us that attitude is everything and to surround yourself with great family and friends."

- Becky Kearns, President, Zion’s Bank

“First of all I’ve never seen anyone get a standing ovation before and after a commencement address. Then I was amazed that he went word for word for fifty minutes without any notes. There were six thousand people in attendance—grandmothers, grandfathers, toddlers, students, teachers, administrators, politicians, and trustees. Chris connected with everyone of them. It was amazing to watch.”

- v.Pablo Nyarady, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Westfield State College

“Over the years, I have had the opportunity to work with Chris on several occasions. These occasions presented opportunities to meet with my clients and provided an environment of motivation, education and positive directions. During these events Chris was able to share his life story and serve as a great example of how the human spirit can thrive and overcome life’s obstacles. It is my opinion that Chris Waddell is one of the best public speakers that I have encountered. Chris is able to engage an audience in a manner that captivates their attention and appeals to their senses. The manner in which Chris chronicles the events of his life and his determination to recover and succeed is an inspiration to all.”

- Brad Kupfer, Vice President, Moreton and Company

"Chris speaks straight from the heart.  His message on work ethic, determination and team work left a lasting impression on all of us. "

- Caroline Shaw, Former Chief Communications Officer for the Olympic Winter Games of 2002

Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, KB Home

“Chris’s contract stated that he would be the ‘face of the Paralympics’. He was the face, heart and soul. His ability to communicate the Olympic and Paralympic messages resulted in record attendance.”

- Cindy McHale, Promotions Director for the Paralympics, Salt Lake 2002

"Chris has been a motivational speaker at a number of our association meetings. His topics have always been engaging and

relevant to those challenges that we face in our industry. He posses the unique ability to weave his life experiences into a speech

that both enlightens and motivates our members."

- Steve Proper - Board Member, Utah Cable & Telecommunications Association

"I have been fortunate to have met Chris Waddell through both work (2002 Olympic Winter Games) and socially (Sunrise Rotary Club).  Chris is such a great inspiration for young and old.  He has such a commanding presence and beautiful smile.  Then, when he talks about his application of motivation to life in his speeches, he is a true inspiration.  We are so blessed to have an athlete, speaker, wonderful person, such as Chris living and working here in our Park City community!"

- Connie Nelson, Executive Director, Alf Engen Ski Museum Foundation

“Chris speaks from the heart, his motivating techniques are real and move you from the opening to the closing.  When you leave Chris's class the words will stay with you everyday of your life.”

- Michael McDonough, Assistant Business Development Manager, Matrix Essentials

“Chris Waddell spoke from the heart when he address 150 6th and 7th graders that were being inducted into the National Junior Honor Society.  Through his  unique experiences, he shared how he has overcome obstacles and deals with the challenges he faces with a open, positive manner.  Chris truly inspired us to set goals and to "Celebrate Life!". We’re still talking about his presentation a year later.”

- Kim Sobel, 6th grade teacher, Park City, Utah

“I have never seen someone connect with students, teachers and parents like Chris Waddell did when he was the guest speaker at the Winter Sports School graduation.  We are still quoting him 2 years afterwards. He is a true inspiration to us all!”

- Vicky Gaylord, US Ski and Snowboard Association, Winter School Parent

"We've had Chris do several presentations with our employee's on topics ranging from team work and building to overcoming obstacles and dealing with adversity.  After every presentation I've gotten comments from our employees on the value of these presentations and how much they've enjoyed them.  Chris has been flexible and easy to work with on every occasion I've dealt with him and has certainly added value to our company."

- Luke Eichorn, Comcast.

"My family and I were very moved by Chris Waddell's presentation at my daughter's induction ceremony to the National Junior Honor Society.  He is a dynamic and inspirational speaker who made a fantastic impression on my 6th grade daughter and her peers, as well as the adults in the audience."

- Lisa Harlig, parent

"Chris knows how to work the audience, and encourages everyone to participate and be engaged in the subject matter.  I’m impressed with his charisma, humor and ability to adapt to the environment at hand."

- Sarah West, M.B.A., Director, Office of New Ventures, Westminster College

Click Here to Contact Chris for Availability and Rate Information

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Career Highlights

Skiing

• Four-time Paralympian ( Albertville , Lillehammer , Nagano , Salt Lake City )
• 12 Paralympic medals (five gold, five silver, two bronze) Swept all four events in Lillehammer 1994
• 6 World Championship medals (3 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze) 5 World Cup wins
• 32 National titles Skier of the year '94, '95, '00

Track and Road Racing

• Three-time Paralympian ( Atlanta , Sydney , Athens )
• Silver Medal 200m Sydney Paralympics 2000
• Three World Championship medals (gold 200m and bronze 400m '98: silver 4x400m '94)
• Member 1996 Paralympic Team, Atlanta , Ga (5 events 100, 200, 400, 800, 4x100m)
• US Records 200m, 400m, 800m
• International Events 3 gold, 4 silver
• National Championships (8 gold, 6 silver, 3 bronze)
• Course Record St. George Marathon 2002, 2003

Community work

• Co-founder/coach Sarah Will/Chris Waddell Monoski Camp (over 100 participants since '94)
• Founder Perfect Turn Ski Camps (6 sites in 1997)
• Monoski Instructional Video
• Numerous track instructional camps throughout the country

Promotional Highlights

• People Magazine 50 Most Beautiful People 1998
• Skiing Magazine 25 Greatest Skiers in North America 2001
• Dateline
• Oprah
• Outside Magazine October 1996 "Could this be the world's greatest athlete?"
• Warren Miller's Vertical Reality
• Olympian Magazine cover Fall 1996
• National Geographic Explorer Journal
• Ski
• Skiing

Speaking Highlights

• Paralympic Spokesman for the Salt Lake Organizing Committee
• Spokesman for the Hartford Financial Services Group
• Spokesman for Matrix Hair Designs
• Spokesman for the Utah state PTA

Other

• Actor ABC's Loving
• Model We Magazine , Eddie Bauer Catalog, Hecht's Department Stores, Carson 's Department Stores
• March of Dimes Franklin Delano Roosevelt Award
• Finalist for the Sullivan Award given by the AAU to the top Amateur Athlete in the country

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2007 AbilityPLUS Inc. PO Box 253 Waterville Valley NH 03215