Neroli Fairhall

Neroli Susan Fairhall ( born August 26, 1944 in Christchurch, † June 11, 2006 ibid ) was a New Zealand athlete, who took part in the first human paraplegia in the Olympic Games.

After she was paralyzed by a motorcycle accident from the belly from the age of 24 years down ( paraplegia ), it began in 1974 with the archery. Already at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, she was nominated, but failed due to the boycott of the games do not participate by most Western countries including New Zealand. At the Paralympic Games in Arnhem in the same year she won a gold medal, as well as two years later at the inaugural competition in archery during the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane. In 1984 she participated in the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and finished in 35th place.

Often cited was their answer to the question of an English journalist after their victory at the Commonwealth Games, whether it is an advantage for them to shoot while sitting:

" I do not know. I've never shot standing up I do not know. I have never shot standing up. "

In addition to her international success, she won several state championship titles in New Zealand. For her contribution to the sport, she was accepted as a member of the Order of the British Empire. After her retirement from active sports in 2001, she worked as a trainer for archery in their home club.