Nicole Murray

Started: She began the sport in Cambridge, New Zealand. (newsroom.co.nz, 07 Jun 2022) Reason: She was spotted by New Zealand Para swimmer Hadleigh Pierson at a talent identification event for young people with impairments in New Zealand. "He got us in touch with respective coaches of sports he thought we'd do well in, so he got me in touch with the Para cycling coach at the time, Jono Hailstone. I came to Cambridge and had a go on the track and really loved it." (newsroom.co.nz, 07 Jun 2022) Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (stuff.co.nz, 31 Mar 2024) Awards: She was nominated for the Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability award in 2024. (rnz.co.nz, 27 Feb 2024) She was named Best Female Summer Athlete at the 2023 Para Sport Awards in Manama, Bahrain. (paralympics.org.nz, 28 Sep 2023; nzherald.co.nz, 08 Oct 2023) She featured on the Para Cycling Walk of Champions display that was unveiled in August 2020 at the Avantidrome in Cambridge, New Zealand. (paralympics.org.nz, 04 Aug 2020) She was named the 2018 Para Cyclist of the Year at the Cycling New Zealand Awards. (Te Awamutu Sports Cycling Club Facebook page, 26 May 2019) Additional Info: OCCUPATION She has worked as a guide at Waitomo Caves in New Zealand. "I have to get into the water and abseil down ropes and things like that so it's a lot of fun." (paralympics.org.nz, 06 May 2021; tvnz.co.nz, 23 Aug 2019)