Mel Fitzgerald

Canadian Paralympic athlete (1953–2023)

Mel Fitzgerald

Fitzgerald (right) is congratulated after winning the 800 meters, 1980

Personal information
Born| (1953-07-20)20 July 1953
Trepassey, Newfoundland, Canada
Died| 2 October 2023(2023-10-02) (aged 70)
New Zealand
Sport
Country| Canada
Sport| Athletics, Wheelchair racing

Medal record

Athletics at the Summer Paralympics
Representing  Canada
Paralympics
| 1980 Arnhem | Men's 800m 5
| 1980 Arnhem | Men's 1500m 5
| 1980 Arnhem | Men's 100m 5
| 1980 Arnhem | Men's 4x100m relay 2-5
| 1984 Stoke Mandeville
/ New York | Men's marathon 5
| 1984 Stoke Mandeville
/ New York | Men's 1500m 5
| 1984 Stoke Mandeville
/ New York | Men's 5000m 5
| 1984 Stoke Mandeville
/ New York | Men's 800m 5

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

## Biography

[edit]

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

[edit]

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. ^ a b 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".