Bart McNichol
1998
Bart McNichol began his competitive career in wheelchair sports in 1963, at a time when athletes with quadriplegia were limited to a narrow range of events due to misconceptions about their endurance and strength. Undeterred, Bart broke through those barriers — proving that determination and ability far outweighed limitation — and went on to become one of the most accomplished and respected athletes in the history of adaptive sports.
While table tennis was his primary sport early in his career, Bart’s drive to compete led him to excel in track, field, and slalom events as new opportunities emerged for athletes with quadriplegia. His outstanding results across multiple disciplines earned him national and international recognition, ultimately leading to his induction into the Wheelchair Sports USA Hall of Fame.
Bart’s athletic career spanned more than twenty-five years and included participation in five Paralympic Games as a member of Team USA:
1968 – Tel Aviv, Israel
1972 – Heidelberg, Germany
1980 – Arnhem, Netherlands
1984 – Stoke Mandeville, England
1988 – Seoul, South Korea
He also competed in several Pan American Wheelchair Games, including Kingston, Jamaica (1971) and Mexico City (1975), and took part in every National Wheelchair Games from 1963 through 1981 — a remarkable record of consistency and dedication.
In National Wheelchair Games (NWG) competition, Bart earned:
3 Gold Medals in Table Tennis
1 Gold Medal in Javelin
1 Gold Medal in Bowling
3 Silver Medals in Table Tennis
1 Silver Medal in Bowling
7 Bronze Medals in Table Tennis
3 Bronze Medals in Bowling
1 Bronze Medal in Discus
His international results were equally impressive, with 5 Gold Medals in Table Tennis, Javelin, and Slalom, 3 Silver Medals in Table Tennis and Javelin, and 6 Bronze Medals in Table Tennis, Discus, and Slalom.
More than his medal count, Bart McNichol’s true legacy lies in his role as a trailblazer. He was among the first to challenge the long-held assumptions about what athletes with quadriplegia could achieve, helping to expand competitive opportunities and reshape perceptions across adaptive sports.
Because of pioneers like Bart McNichol, generations of athletes with quadriplegia have been able to compete, excel, and inspire — following the path he courageously helped forge.