Neroli Fairhall

Neroli Fairhall


Los Angeles 8 August 1984, Games of the XXIII Olympiad. Women's archery 70m: New Zealander Neroli FAIRHALL in action. Credit: IOC / Olympic Museum Collections/R. Witschel/IOPP


Born: 26 August 1944
Deceased: 11 June 2006
Birthplace: Christchurch (New Zealand)
Nationality: New Zealand
Sport: Archery
ATTENDANCE AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES
Los Angeles 1984
AWARDS
No awards
Other results:
Commonwealth Games
Gold: 1 (82)
Paralympic Games
Gold: 1 (80)
First Paraplegic Competitor

Neroli Fairhall's athletic career appeared to be finished when she was paralysed from the waist down following a motorbike accident. Undeterred, she took up archery, competing while seated in a wheelchair. In 1984 she earned the right to represent New Zealand at the Los Angeles Games. She finished 35th and gained a place in the record books by becoming the first paraplegic athlete to compete in the Olympics. When asked if she had an advantage shooting from a seated position, she once replied, "I don't know. I've never shot standing up."