Mel Fitzgerald
Canadian Paralympic athlete (1953–2023)
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Melvin Leo Fitzgerald CM (20 July 1953 – 2 October 2023) was a Canadian Paralympic athlete.[1][2]
Born20 July 1953
Trepassey, Newfoundland, Canada
Died2 October 2023 (aged 70)
New Zealand
CountryCanada
SportAthletics, Wheelchair racing
Fitzgerald (right) is congratulated after winning the 800 meters, 1980 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | 20 July 1953 Trepassey, Newfoundland, Canada | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 2 October 2023 (aged 70) New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Country | Canada | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Athletics, Wheelchair racing | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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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]