1. Robert Steadward became a professor at the University of Alberta in 1971, later served as chairman of the Department of Athletics, and published more than 150 papers about disability sport.
46 Facts About Robert Steadward
1. 2.
Robert Steadward was the founding president of the Alberta Wheelchair Sports Association in 1971, founded the Research and Training Centre for Athletes with Disabilities in 1978, served as president of the Canadian Paralympic Committee from 1984 to 1990, and later became a member of the Canadian Olympic Committee.
3.
Robert Steadward became the first president of the International Paralympic Committee in 1989, after a successful campaign to consolidate international disability sport organizations.
4.
Robert Steadward signed a memorandum of understanding with Juan Antonio Samaranch of the International Olympic Committee during the 2000 Summer Olympics which united the Paralympic movement with the Olympic Games movement, and saw one city host both events.
5.
Robert Steadward's career has been recognized with the Order of Canada, the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal, and the Alberta Order of Excellence.
6.
Robert Steadward has been inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame, the Canadian Disability Hall of Fame, and Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.
7.
Robert Steadward was born on May 26,1946, in Eston, Saskatchewan.
8.
Robert Steadward graduated from Luther College High School in Regina, Saskatchewan in 1964.
9.
Robert Steadward initially studied dentistry at the University of Alberta but abandoned that career path.
10.
Robert Steadward completed a Master's degree in physical education science and then a Doctorate at the University of Oregon, during which he was a member of the Epsilon-Alpha chapter in the Kappa Sigma fraternity.
11.
Robert Steadward became involved in disabled sports in Edmonton during the 1960s while he was a student.
12.
Robert Steadward coached a wheelchair basketball club called the Edmonton Handicaddies; and along with Gary McPherson, he helped organize the first Canadian wheelchair sport national championships, hosted at the University of Alberta in 1968.
13.
Robert Steadward coached for the Canadian Paralympic Committee from 1966 to 1976, in swimming, wheelchair basketball, and track and field.
14.
Robert Steadward served as a national governor for the CPC from 1970 to 1986, was its treasurer from 1974 to 176, and was head of mission for international events from 1971 to 1980.
15.
Robert Steadward founded the Alberta Wheelchair Sports Association in 1971, and served as its president until 1975.
16.
In 1971, Robert Steadward joined the Faculty of Kinesiology at the University of Alberta.
17.
Robert Steadward helped design and construct a three-wheeled racing wheelchair used by Doug Bovee at the 1972 Summer Paralympics.
18.
Robert Steadward coached the Canadian national wheelchair basketball team at the same Summer Paralympics, and at the 1973 International Stoke Mandeville Games.
19.
Robert Steadward was head of mission for Canada at the 1976 Summer Paralympics in Toronto, and served as president of the Canadian Federation of Sport Organizations for the Disabled.
20.
Robert Steadward founded the Research and Training Centre for Athletes with Disabilities in 1978.
21.
Robert Steadward envisioned a place where disabled athletes had a place to train for competition in sports, and have access to quality coaching.
22.
Robert Steadward founded the Canadian Sports Fund for the Physically Disabled in 1979, to provide funds for research, and was its chairman for 10 years.
23.
Robert Steadward served as president of the Alberta Universities Athletic Association, chairman of Accreditation for the 1978 Commonwealth Games hosted in Edmonton, and vice-president of the 1983 Summer Universiade hosted in Edmonton.
24.
Robert Steadward served as president of the CPC from 1984 to 1990.
25.
Robert Steadward retired from teaching at the University of Alberta in 2001.
26.
Robert Steadward had served as Associate Dean of the Faculty of Physical Education, and chairman of the Department of Athletics.
27.
Robert Steadward's research led to more than 150 papers published about disability sport.
28.
Robert Steadward campaigned to other global disability sport organizations to unite as one.
29.
Robert Steadward was elected the first president of the IPC in 1989, and served in the role until 2001.
30.
Robert Steadward was elected to the International Olympic Committee in 2000.
31.
Robert Steadward served as co-chairman of the bid committee for the 2001 World Championships in Athletics hosted in Edmonton.
32.
Robert Steadward signed a memorandum of understanding with Juan Antonio Samaranch of the IOC during the 2000 Summer Olympics which united the Paralympic movement with the Olympic Games movement, and saw one city host both events.
33.
Robert Steadward felt that being aligned with the Olympics would allow the Paralympics to reach its potential, but noted that the relationship was delicate at first "because we're seen as the poor cousin needing help and we don't want that".
34.
Robert Steadward originally lobbied for full integration with Olympics, but decided the Paralympics would be stronger as a separate event.
35.
Robert Steadward served on several sub-committees within the IOC which included, the Olympic Truce Foundation, environment and reforms, and the co-ordinating group for the 2008 Summer Olympics.
36.
Robert Steadward served as board member for the 2005 World Masters Games hosted in Edmonton.
37.
Robert Steadward has worked as an agent for international athletes and country musicians.
38.
Robert Steadward was an agent for gold medal Olympians Jamie Sale and David Pelletier during their 2001 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships.
39.
Robert Steadward married Laura Thompson in 1967, whom he met while studying at the University of Alberta.
40.
Robert Steadward is a fan of the rodeo, and has served as president of the River City Roundup Festival, Miss Rodeo Canada, and Friends of Pro Rodeo.
41.
Robert Steadward was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 1984.
42.
Robert Steadward was inducted into the Canadian Paralympic Hall of Fame in 2000.
43.
In December 2020, Robert Steadward was elevated to the rank of Companion within the Order of Canada.
44.
Robert Steadward is an honorary life member of the Paralympic Sports Association, the Alberta Wheelchair Sports Association, the Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association, and the Canadian Paralympic Committee.
45.
The Lieutenant Governor of Alberta credited Robert Steadward for bringing attention to the Paralympic movement, and stated that he "served to inspire all people with disability to pursue more active lifestyles".
46.
Canada's Sports Hall of Fame credited Robert Steadward for promoting disability sport internationally, and "giving the Paralympics an unprecedented level of support, respect and funding".