By Daniel Etchells

Peter Trotter has died aged 58 ©APC MediaPeter Trotter, the Australian wheelchair racer who won a full set of medals at the 1984 Paralympic Games in Stoke Mandeville, has died aged 58.


Trotter, considered by many to be a trailblazer for modern wheelchair track athletes, such as three-time Paralympic gold medallist Kurt Fearnley, won gold in the 5,000 metres, silver in the 1500m and bronze in the 800m.

During the course of his career, which saw him travel to Europe and the United States to compete regularly against the best in the world, Trotter held world records in each of the three events, as well as the 10,000m.

Peter Trotter was considered by many to be a trailblazer for modern wheelchair track athletes such as Kurt Fearnley ©Getty ImagesPeter Trotter was considered by many to be a trailblazer for modern wheelchair track athletes such as Kurt Fearnley ©Getty Images




At the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, the first time wheelchair events were part of the Games, Trotter competed in the demonstration of the 1500m. 

Six years later, Trotter and Jeff Wiseman founded the Oz Day 10k, Australia's premier wheelchair road race still held held annually in Sydney.

As a member of the Organising Committee, Trotter helped oversee the organisation of the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games, where he was Deputy Mayor of the Athletes' Village.

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