Laura Thompson (cyclist) explained

Laura Thompson
Birth Name:Laura Gail Thompson
Birth Date:4 June 1987
Sport:Cycling

Laura Gail Thompson (for a time with a married name Fairweather; born 4 June 1987) is a New Zealand cyclist and former basketballer. She represented New Zealand at the 2012 Summer Paralympics as the tandem sighted pilot for Phillipa Gray, winning three medals: one gold, one silver and one bronze.[1] [2] [3] [4] At the 2016 Summer Paralympics, she was the sighted pilot for Emma Foy, winning one silver and one bronze medal.[5] [6]

From 2014 to 2016 she won a total of eight medals (including three gold) at the UCI Para-cycling Track and Road Championships, with partner Emma Foy.[7] [8]

Thompson played basketball in her youth, representing New Zealand at junior level before being selected for the national team at age 18. However, she developed hip problems requiring surgery to correct and forcing her to retire from basketball. Thompson picked up cycling through rehabilitation, later becoming a member of the national development team before switching to para-cycling piloting in 2009.[9]

In the 2013 New Year Honours, Fairweather was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to cycling.[10] [11] In the 2022 New Year Honours, Thompson was promoted to Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Paralympic cycling.[12]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Laura Thompson. London2012.com. 31 August 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120831123850/http://www.london2012.com/paralympics/athlete/thompson-laura-5510908/. 31 August 2012. dmy-all.
  2. Web site: Cycling bronze for Gray and Thompson. Radio New Zealand. 31 August 2012.
  3. Web site: Gold medal won by cyclists. 3 September 2012 . Radio New Zealand. 3 September 2012.
  4. Web site: Tandem pair complete Paralympic medal set . Stuff.co.nz. 9 September 2012.
  5. Web site: Emma Foy wins cycling silver in Rio . Radio New Zealand . 12 September 2016 . 12 September 2016.
  6. Web site: Women's B 3000m Individual Pursuit – Final . Rio 2016 Paralympic Games . 12 September 2016 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160921144224/https://smsprio2016-a.akamaihd.net/_odf-documents/C/T/CTW027100_Results_2016_09_11_1923fddd_4fae_4384_9a69_83568c13b89b.pdf . 21 September 2016 . dmy-all .
  7. Web site: Paralympian Emma Foy takes time out . AvantiDrome . 23 September 2019.
  8. Web site: UCI Para–Cycyling Results . . 20 September 2019.
  9. News: Aaron . Goile . 10 May 2016 . Emma Foy and Laura Thompson looking to carry unique partnership into Paralympics . Stuff.co.nz . 12 October 2016.
  10. Web site: New Year honours list 2013. 31 December 2012 . Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet . 10 January 2018.
  11. News: 'Crazy year' ends in honours for medal duo . Nathan . Burdon . Fairfax Media (via Stuff.co.nz) . 31 December 2012 . 31 December 2012.
  12. News: New Years Honours – Full list . 31 December 2021 . . 31 December 2021.