History Maker Remembered

International archery associations and Olympic committees have paid tribute to Neroli Fairhall, who has died aged 61. Fairhall won a gold medal in archery for NZ at the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane, a Paralympic gold, and was a national champion and record holder in NZ throughout her career. At the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics she made history by being the first paraplegic athlete to compete at the Games, placing 35th. She was awarded an MBE for services to sport and continued coaching archery in Christchurch long after her retirement. “[Neroli] inspired all who came into contact with her,” said Archery NZ president Colin Mitchell in the NZ Herald.

Neroli Fairhall: 26 August 1944 – 11 June 2006