Name Laura Thompson | Role Cyclist | |
Laura Fairweather MNZM (née Thompson, born 4 June 1987) is a New Zealand cyclist and former basketballer. She represented New Zealand at the 2012 Summer Paralympics as the tandem sighted pilot for Phillipa Gray, winning three medals: one gold, one silver and one bronze. At the 2016 Summer Paralympics, she was the sighted pilot for Emma Foy, winning one silver and one bronze medal.
Fairweather played basketball in her youth, representing New Zealand at junior level before being selected for the national team at age 18. However, she developed hip problems requiring surgery to correct and forcing her to retire from basketball. Fairweather picked up cycling through rehabilitation, later becoming a member of the national development team before switching to para-cycling piloting in 2009.
Fairweather was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2013 New Year's Honours, for her services to cycling.