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Mel Fitzgerald

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Canadian Paralympic athlete (1953–2023)

Mel FitzgeraldCM
Fitzgerald (right) is congratulated after winning the 800 meters, 1980
Personal information
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 place 1980 Arnhem Men's 800m 5
Gold medal – first place 1980 Arnhem Men's 1500m 5
Silver medal – second place 1980 Arnhem Men's 100m 5
Bronze medal – third place 1980 Arnhem Men's 4x100m relay 2-5
Gold medal – first place 1984 Stoke Mandeville
/ New York		 Men's marathon 5
Silver medal – second place 1984 Stoke Mandeville
/ New York		 Men's 1500m 5
Silver medal – second place 1984 Stoke Mandeville
/ New York		 Men's 5000m 5
Bronze medal – third place 1984 Stoke Mandeville
/ New York		 Men's 800m 5

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

Biography

Fitzgerald was born in Trepassey, Newfoundland in July 1953. 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. He was named a Member of the Order of Canada (CM) in 1982, and in 2018 was inducted into the Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association Hall of Fame.

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

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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