Wheelchair Rugby Canada and the BC Wheelchair Sports Association are mourning the sudden passing of Richmond Paralympian Ian Chan on Monday at the age of 41.

A five-time Paralympian and World Champion, Chan was an outstanding athlete, earning multiple MVP and Best in Class awards.

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Following his competitive career, he gave back to his sport, nurturing up-and-coming athletes and sharing his knowledge and love of the game.

“We send our heartfelt condolences to Ian’s family, friends, his former teammates, coaches, team staff and colleagues. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire wheelchair rugby family as we mourn the loss of our dear friend Ian. His legacy will live on in the athletes he coached and the teammates he mentored," said the organizations in a press release issued earlier today.

Chan started playing wheelchair rugby at the urging of the sport's inventor, Duncan Campbell in 1995, and worked his way to the top of the sport . He was a member of the national team for 20 years (1997-2017), highlighted by Paralympic silver medals in 2004 and 2012, along with a bronze in 2008.

Chan lost the use of his legs in a split second when he was 15.

“I was in a motor bike accident downtown late at night,” said Chan in a 2005 interview with the News. "It was the night before the Molson Indy and we were on the track when we hit a concrete barrier."

After accepting the inevitable, the Hugh Boyd graduate wasn't sure what his future would hold.

The turning point would come from fellow Richmondite and paraplegic Rick Hansen.

"One of the first things Rick said to me when we met, was, 'So what sport do you play?'" says Chan. "I told him nothing."

Hansen wouldn't let it go and questioned the teen as to why he wasn't getting involved in the thriving wheelchair sports arena.

"He propelled me to look into sports."

Chan was prominently featured in the award-winning film “Murder Ball” which looked at the lives of paraplegic rugby players on and off the court.

The production was initially envisioned as an article for Maxim magazine.

“They spent two years following us around and filming our sport,” said Chan. "They didn't intend to make a movie but the article was so well received, they were asked to make a movie from their footage.”

Ian Chan's Celebration of Life will take place Sunday, March 31 from 2-4 p.m. (doors open at 1:30 p.m.) at the Richmond Funeral Home (8240 Cambie Road).