Paralympics team pays tribute to athlete killed in crash

News of Graham Condon's death has shocked Paralympics New Zealand.

The 58-year-old Christchurch city councillor died just north of the city yesterday morning after a car collided with his three-wheeled bicycle on Lower Styx Road at Brooklands. He was training on the bike.

Mr Condon achieved a number of world records and titles during his time as a competitive swimmer and track athlete, winning at least three gold medals.

Paralympics deputy chair Duane Kale is in Beijing preparing for the 2008 Olympics.

He says he and his team had to stop work for the rest of the day after hearing the news.

He says Mr Condon was a larger than life character who made a huge impact on many people's lives.

Mr Kale says Paralympics New Zealand will be organising a way to commemorate Graham Condon.

Mr Condon had been in a wheelchair since a childhood bout of polio. He is survived by his wife Kath and children Craig and Andrea.

- NEWSTALK ZB