McMaster celebrates student’s double medal win at Paraolympic Games in Athens

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/walker.jpg” caption=”Elizabeth Walker, at Thursday’s celebration in her honour. Photo credit: John Bugailiskis”]McMaster hosted a special celebration yesterday in honor of Elizabeth Walker's tricolour accomplishments at the 2004 Paraolympic Games in Athens.

Elisabeth Walker, a 27-year-old occupational therapy student, won both a bronze and silver medal in the swimming competitions. She received bronze in the 50-meter butterfly, and silver in the 4 x 100 medley relay.

Walker previously brought home a gold medal from the 2000 Paralympic Games in Sydney, Australia.

In 2002, Walker began the graduate program in occupational therapy at McMaster University, completing the first year of the program before beginning training for the 2004 games in Athens.

Walker, an avid athlete, was born with two shortened arms, a condition known as dysmelia. She attended Birchmount Park high school in Scarborough and is currently a resident of St. Catharine's. She will resume her graduate studies at McMaster next year.