Vernon paralympian Josh Dueck announces retirement

VERNON – Beloved Vernon athlete and three-time Paralympic medallist Josh Dueck is moving on to a new chapter in his life.

After winning gold and silver medals at the Sochi Paralympic Winter Games, the sit-skier has decided to retire.

“So, the time has come to retire from competition and redirect my energy on family, community and new adventures,” Dueck said in a blog post.

In 2004, Dueck broke his back taking a jump and was told he’d never walk again. A year after his accident, he began para-alpine racing. Since then, he became the first sit-skier to perform a backflip, was crowned the world downhill champion in 2009, took home two silver medals and one gold at the Paralympic games, and appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres Show. He also partnered with Alpine Canada to redesign the sit-ski.

Dueck sincerely thanks his team, his coaches, therapists, sponsors, friends, family, and all the Canadians that supported, cheered and believed in their paralympians.

There’s lots in store for Dueck as he turns this page in his life, including authoring a book in partnership with Dr. John Coleman about his journey, from finding himself in a wheelchair to reaching the Paralympic podium.

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