Paralympic champion Mac Marcoux inducted into Canadian Disability Hall of Fame

Photo: Mac Marcoux with his mother Lee and wife Dina

TORONTO – Mac Marcoux had no idea he had been nominated for the Canadian Disability Hall of Fame until a phone call a couple of months ago informed the six-time Paralympic medallist that he would be inducted.

“At first my brain went to, maybe I missed a message or announcement at work,” said Marcoux, 29, now a coordinator of athlete services and engagement with the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC). “I had no idea.”

The identity of the person or people who nominated the Goulais, Ont. resident remains a mystery.

Marcoux, who served as Canada’s honorary captain at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, was officially inducted at a gala last week at Toronto’s Royal York Hotel. Dr. David Legg of Calgary, a prominent researcher and advocate who has helped shape Para sport in Canada and internationally, was also inducted as a builder.

With his induction, Marcoux joins a distinguished group of Canadians recognized for their contributions to disability sport and the broader disability community.

The Hall of Fame includes Para sport figures such as Chantal Petitclerc, Rick Hansen, and Para alpine skiing mentor Chris Williamson.

“Obviously super honoured, really excited,” said Marcoux, who attended the ceremony with his mother Lee and wife, Dina. He credited his family’s support throughout his career as a major factor in his success.

Marcoux concluded his Para alpine skiing career at the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games, winning silver with guide Tristan Rodgers in the men’s visually impaired downhill.

When asked to reflect on a particular career moment, Marcoux recalled the moments before that final race.

“It was at the start gate and that embrace and fist bump we shared represented more than being able to kick out of the start gate,” he said. “We had a really awesome career at that point and I knew I’d be winding down and it might be my last race.

“What a cool way to cap things off.”

But reaching that final start gate may have been an even greater accomplishment than winning another medal.

Marcoux spent much of the final four years of his career battling injuries that threatened to end his skiing days prematurely.

“There were some days when I couldn’t even think of the idea of putting on my socks,” he said.

Marcoux also took gold in the downhill and bronze in giant slalom with guide Jack Leitch in 2018 and gold in the giant slalom and bronze in both the downhill and super-G with Robin Femy in 2014. Marcoux was only 16 at the Sochi Games.

His 2019-2020 season was highlighted by a 50th career World Cup podium after a giant slalom victory with Rodgers. The pair won all eight races they entered on the circuit that season which was cut short by the pandemic.

Marcoux’s impact has extended well beyond the ski slopes.

His induction also recognizes his efforts to create more opportunities for people with disabilities to experience the outdoors, particularly in backcountry environments.

“For me it’s playing in the backcountry and trying to figure out how we can work with different guiding organizations and ideally educate on how with little adaptation we can create a really accessible environment. This honour shows as well that somebody’s paying attention.”

Marcoux has also remained closely connected to high-performance sport through his work with the CPC, which he joined in February 2024.

“To be able to stay involved in sport and work with the CPC, I’m really grateful for that opportunity,” he said. “When I saw that position available I knew I needed to apply. It’s been incredibly rewarding to work so closely with the athletes.”

Marcoux hopes his experiences will encourage young people with visual impairments to try new activities rather than feel limited by perceived barriers.

He understands parents may be apprehensive, but he is grateful his own family gave him the tools to succeed by allowing him room to learn and adapt.

“Just try everything,” he said. “Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable.”

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Dr. David Legg

Marcoux was joined among this year’s inductees by Dr. David Legg, whose contributions as a researcher, administrator, and advocate have helped shape Canadian and international Para sport for more than three decades.

A professor at Mount Royal University for nearly 30 years, he is recognized as a leader, innovator, researcher, and volunteer whose work has helped expand opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in sport and physical activity.

Dr. Legg has also served the CPC in various capacities over multiple decades, including as president and Board member.

Beyond the CPC, Legg has provided global leadership through the Sport Science Committee of the International Paralympic Committee and as president of the International Federation of Adapted Physical Activity (IFAPA).

A widely published academic and advocate for inclusion, he has helped advance sport policy, athlete development, and community programming.

See the full Canadian Disability Hall of Fame release here: 2026-10-08-CDHF-33rd-Annual-Induction-Luncheon_FINAL-1.pdf

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