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Paralympian Profile

Keith McCormick MNZM #18

Portrait of Paralympian Keith McCormick

A wheelchair user as a result of a diving accident when he was 22, Keith represented New Zealand only 2 years later at the Heidelberg 1972 Paralympic Games in Germany in Para athletics and Para swimming. At the 1974 Disabled Commonwealth Games in Dunedin, Keith won a silver medal in the pentathlon and a bronze in the shot put. Proving his versatility, he won another silver in the 25m Backstroke. 

Keith was also a board member of Paralympics New Zealand in its early days. He dedicated 25 years to the Board of ParaFed Canterbury and was instrumental in aiding the organisation to become the high-quality service provider it is today. Keith was known as a determined, focused, straight talking, no nonsense and innovative campaigner for the rights of disabled people in the upper South Island. In 2001, Keith received the Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit and was awarded the PNZ Order of Merit for outstanding contribution to disability and Para sport.

In later life Keith took a more passive involvement in sport as a committee member and treasurer of the Sumner Bowling Club.

Keith passed away in 2005.

Keith was officially acknowledged as Paralympian #18 at the ParaFed Canterbury Sports Awards in Christchurch in November 2021.

Paralympic Results
Paralympic GamesResult
Heidelberg 1972 Paralympic Games

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