Mel Fitzgerald

Melvin Leo Fitzgerald CM (20 July 1953 – 2 October 2023) was a Canadian Paralympic athlete.[1][2]

Mel Fitzgerald
CM
Fitzgerald (right) is congratulated after winning the 800 meters, 1980
Personal information
NationalityCanadian
Born(1953-07-20)20 July 1953
Trepassey, Newfoundland, Canada
Died2 October 2023(2023-10-02) (aged 70)
New Zealand
Sport
CountryCanada
SportAthletics, Wheelchair racing
Medal record
Athletics at the Summer Paralympics
Representing  Canada
Paralympics
Gold medal – first place1980 ArnhemMen's 800m 5
Gold medal – first place1980 ArnhemMen's 1500m 5
Silver medal – second place1980 ArnhemMen's 100m 5
Bronze medal – third place1980 ArnhemMen's 4x100m relay 2-5
Gold medal – first place1984 Stoke Mandeville
/ New York		Men's marathon 5
Silver medal – second place1984 Stoke Mandeville
/ New York		Men's 1500m 5
Silver medal – second place1984 Stoke Mandeville
/ New York		Men's 5000m 5
Bronze medal – third place1984 Stoke Mandeville
/ New York		Men's 800m 5

Biography

Fitzgerald was born in Trepassey, Newfoundland in July 1953.[3] He competed in athletics in the 1980 and 1984 Paralympics, winning eight medals. He used a wheelchair since the age of two, when he was afflicted with polio.[4] He was named a Member of the Order of Canada (CM) in 1982,[5] and in 2018 was inducted into the Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association Hall of Fame.[6]

On 2 October 2023, Fitzgerald died from cardiovascular disease in New Zealand, where he had been living. He was 70.[2]

References
  1. Hawthorn, Tom (12 October 2023). "Champion wheelchair racer Mel Fitzgerald advocated for people with disabilities". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  2. Sheppard, Noah. "Gold Medal-Winning Paralympian, Mel Fitzgerald, Passes Away". VOCM. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  3. "Canadians sweep". The Leader-Post. 30 July 1984. p. 18. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  4. "Fitzgerald an inspiration to handicapped athletes". The Leader-Post. 10 January 1981. p. 41. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  5. "Mr. Mel Fitzgerald".
  6. "N.L. athletes inducted into Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association Hall of Fame | SaltWire".
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