Robert Courtney (Paralympian)


Robert George Courtney was a champion New Zealand Paralympian.

Early life

Born on 27 April 1959, Courtney spent his childhood in Auckland and was educated at St Peter's College.

Athletics career

Courtney represented New Zealand in the 1982 Paraplegic Olympics in Hong Kong in the 100 metres and 200 metres Wheelchair Sprints for which he won gold medals and set world records. He also represented New Zealand in the 1984 Summer Paralympics at Stoke Mandeville, England, where he won, and set a world record in, the men's 100 m 4. In the same games he also won a bronze medal in the Men's King of the Straight - 100 m 1A-6.

Death

Courtney died in Auckland on 28 January 2016. He had suffered from kidney problems for over 20 years.