Neroli Fairhall: Shooting from the hip

Born: 26 August, 1944

Deceased: 11 June, 2006

Birthplace: Christchurch (New Zealand)

Nationality: New Zealand

Attendance at the Olympic Games: Los Angeles 1984

Other results: One gold at 1982 Commonwealth

Games: Gold; one gold at 1980 Paralympic Games

Neroli Fairhall's athletic career seemed to be over when she was paralyzed from the waist down following a motorbike accident. Undeterred, she took up archery, competing while seated in a wheelchair.

In 1984 she earned the right to represent New Zealand at the Los Angeles Games, where she finished 35th and gained a place in the record books by becoming the first paraplegic athlete to compete in the Olympics.

When asked if she had an advantage shooting from a seated position, she once replied, "I don't know. I've never shot standing up."