Marsh, who won two bronze medals at the Toronto1976 Paralympic Games, passed away in Brisbane  at the age of 64.

A passionate sportsman, Marsh was a promising rugby league player for Wests Rugby League Club in Brisbane when he broke his neck during a match and became a quadriplegic in 1970.

His love for sport continued and in 1976, he competed in the precision club throw and 60 metre wheelchair race at the Toronto 1976, winning bronze in both events.

He went on to compete at two more Paralympic Games in Arnhem in 1980 and Stoke Mandeville in 1984 in both athletics and table tennis before turning to coaching junior athletes following his retirement in 1987.

"Peter Marsh was one of the Paralympic Movement's pioneers and we extend our condolences to his family," said Hartung ,who is also vice-president of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

"I knew Peter from our school days and he was always a great sport enthusiast.

"He just loved sport."


Marsh was a dedicated advocate for disability sport and was a member of the Sporting Wheelies and Disabled Association Executive and its sport sub-committee from 1971 until 1990.

He was also chairman of the 1989 National Junior Games Organising Committee and through his involvement in both organisations; he mentored and supported hundreds of young athletes with a disability.

"His contribution to the development of sport for people with a disability in Australia has been significant," added Hartung.

"It is due to people like Peter that the Paralympic movement in Australia is able to continually grow."

Marsh is survived by his wife Anne and their son Kieran.

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