OTTAWA – Jacques Martin, a four-time Paralympic Games gold medallist, has died, Athletics Canada said Friday. He was 51.

Martin excelled in throwing events, especially the discus, shot put and javelin. He competed in six Paralympic Games between 1984 and 2004 and officially retired from athletics in 2010.

“I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Jacques Martin,” chief high performance officer Martin Goulet said in a news release. “His passion, dedication and contagious energy always made for a positive and motivating environment. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Martin family and entire para-athletics community.”

Martin, a native of St-Denis-Brampton, Que., died suddenly of a heart attack on Thursday, the release said.

Martin won gold at the Paralympic Games in 1984, 1988, 1992 and 1996 and took silver in the para-discus event at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. He also won gold at the 2005 IAAF world championships in the demonstration javelin.

Martin also held world records in the F55 classification shot put and javelin.