LISA FRANKS

Six-time Paralympic gold medalist Lisa Franks’ first exposure to a highly competitive multi-sport event was at the 1994 Saskatchewan Winter Games in Kindersley where she competed in downhill ski racing. Two years later, at the age of 14 her legs became paralyzed due to the sudden onslaught of a vascular condition. However, Lisa was determined to stay active and says sport is what helped her through that adjustment. She went on to compete in wheelchair racing and wheelchair basketball, attending three Canada Games and three Paralympic Games. In the 2000 Summer Paralympics she won gold medals in wheelchair racing for the 200m, 400m, 800m and 1500m and a silver medal in the 100m. Then, in 2004 she defended her 200m and 400m titles. Lisa is a strong advocate for outdoor recreational sport and hopes to "make things more accessible for all." In 2019, she launched the Saskatchewan Adaptive Mountain Bike Club, which offers bike rentals and tours, and most importantly is working to help remove the costly financial barrier of purchasing an adaptive bike for cyclists with varying levels of disabilities. She still holds fond memories of her experience with the Saskatchewan Games and believes its legacy is carried forward in the way they instill passion for sport into athletes at a young age.