By Sam Cortes, Communications Coordinator
Halldor Bjarnason (Athlete – Tricycling)
Halldor Bjarnason was born on October 31, 1963. Throughout his childhood, he had a passion for cycling and used it to get everywhere. He was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, but he did not let that stop him from living a life filled with many extraordinary experiences.
In university, Halldor met his mentor, Glen Bergeron, who helped him secure a customized tricycle. This opened up the door for plenty of opportunities in the cycling world. He started training with national team coach Keith Hanson and from there on, he became a force on the tricycling scene.
In 1986 at the World CP Games, Halldor raced in both the 1500m and 3000m events, finishing second in 1500m and first in the 3000m. Things were only getting better from there. He qualified for the Seoul Paralympics, where he won gold in the 1500m tricycling event, setting a world record at the time and a silver medal in the 3000m event.
He would continue to perform at a high level for many years, making it to the 1992 Barcelona Paralympics, where he finished fourth this time around in the 1500m event, setting a personal best time.
Halldor would eventually get his law degree and served as the President of the Canadian Cerebral Palsy Association from 1990 to 1993.
In every aspect of his life, he strived to achieve greatness. He’s already a member of the Canadian CP Sports Hall of Fame and now, he’s an inductee into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame.
Find more info on the other nominees and the induction ceremony here.
