Canadian André Viger won the wheelchair class of the Boston Marathon three times duirng his illustrious career. (David M. Tenebaum/Associated Press)

The late Canadian paralympic athlete André Viger is to be inducted into the Paralympic Hall of Fame along with four other athletes from around the world.

The International Paralympic Committee elected Viger following an extensive review last week.

The ceremony will take place during the Beijing Paralympics, which run Sept. 6-17, and will honour Viger (athletics), German Claudia Hengst (Swimming), Denmark's Connie Hansen (athletics) and Australians Peter Homann (cycling) and Kevin McIntosh (cycling).

Viger was born in Windsor, Ont., in 1952, but grew up in Sherbrooke, Que. He died in 2006 of cancer five days after his 54th birthday.

Considered a pioneer who paved the way for Canadian Paralympic stars such as Diane Roy and Chantal Petitclerc, Viger lost the use of his legs after a traffic accident at the age of 20.

He took part in four Paralympic Games from 1984 to 1996 and won two gold medals, two silvers and one bronze.

Viger also won the wheelchair class of the Boston Marathon three times during his illustrious career (1984, 1986 and 1987). He was made an officer of the Order of Canada in 1989 and a knight of the National Order of Quebec in 1987.

With files from the Canadian Press