Maclean's magazine has named five-time Paralympic gold medallist Chantal Petitclerc its Canadian of the Year. This time, it's an honour she won't have to share.

Petitclerc, 35, caused a stir earlier this month when she refused to accept an award from Athletics Canada because she would have to share it with failed gold medal-hopeful Perdita Felicien.

Petitclerc said it was obvious to her that officials held her considerable achievements (five gold medals and three world records) in low regard, considering Felicien crashed during her event.

Athletics Canada asked Petitclerc to change her mind, but the determined athlete refused.

"I felt there was a limit to how far you can compromise," Petitclerc told the Maclean's. "By accepting, the message I'd be sending to everybody was that this was all my Paralympic medals and my world records were worth."

Now, Peticlerc has become a role model for many Canadians, including Canada's 3.4 million disabled people. "When you see someone of this character and this stature say she's unwilling to accept second best, that speaks to all people with disabilities, Marie White, chair of the Council of Canadians with Disabilities said.

Petitclerc lost the use of her legs at 13 when she and a friend were using a heavy barn door to build a bicycle ramp. The door fell on Petitclerc, breaking her spine.

Then, a high-school gym teacher introduced the budding athlete to swimming. By 1988, she was competing in wheelchair athletics. The rest, as they say, is history.