Matthew Robinson (snowboarder) facts for kids
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality |  Australia |
| Born | 24 October 1985 |
| Died | 21 February 2014 (aged 28) Kuwait |
| Sport | |
| Country | Australia |
| Sport | Para-snowboarding |
Matthew John Robinson (born October 24, 1985 – died February 21, 2014) was a talented Australian Paralympic snowboarder. He was known for his amazing skills on the snow. Sadly, Matthew passed away after a snowboarding accident in Spain.
Contents
About Matthew
Matthew Robinson was born on October 25, 1985. He was the youngest son of Stephen and Carol Ann. He had two siblings, Tracy and Jarrod. At the time of his passing, he lived in Melbourne, Victoria with his fiancée, Gecel.
Snowboarding Achievements
Matthew had an arm impairment, which meant he competed in a special category for upper limb athletes. This category was not part of the 2014 Winter Paralympics.
Winning Gold and Silver
In 2014, Matthew made history for Australia. He won the country's first ever gold medal in an IPC Alpine Skiing World Cup snowboard event. This big win happened in Copper Mountain, Colorado. He also earned a silver medal at the same competition. The year before, he had won a bronze medal at the same event.
Leading the World Rankings
At the time of his passing, Matthew was leading the IPC World Cup snowboard rankings. This showed he was one of the best para-snowboarders in the world.
His Accident and Legacy
During an IPC World Cup event in La Molina, Spain, Matthew had an accident. He crashed near the end of his second race.
Medical Care and Passing
After the crash, Matthew received immediate medical help. He was flown by helicopter to a hospital in Sabadell, Barcelona, Spain. There, he had surgery for injuries to his neck and spine. On February 21, while being flown back to Australia in a special air ambulance, he had a cardiac arrest. This happened during a stop in Kuwait. Doctors tried to help him, but he could not be revived.
Remembering Matthew
A memorial service was held for Matthew in Perth, Western Australia. Members of the Australian Winter Paralympic Team sent messages to be read out. At the Opening Ceremony in Sochi, the entire Australian team wore black armbands. This was a way to remember Matthew.
Sir Philip Craven, who was the President of the International Paralympic Committee, shared his sadness. He said Matthew was a "world class and extremely popular athlete." Peter Higgins, Matthew's coach, also spoke about him. He said Matthew "led by example" and helped the whole team be their best.
Lasting Tribute
Today, a special tribute to Matthew hangs in 'Finskos Lodge'. This is a place where athletes train in Jindabyne. The tribute includes five pictures of Matthew and his team. It says, "Mathew John Robinson, 24 Oct 1985 – 21 Feb 2014. May the memory of Mathew continue to inspire all those who knew and loved him." It also mentions his achievements and how much he is missed.
Matthew Robinson Scholarship
In 2019, Matthew's family, along with Disabled Winter Sport Australia and Paralympics Australia, started something special. They created the Matthew Robinson Scholarship. This scholarship helps new para-athletes with the costs of competing in winter sports. It helps keep Matthew's inspiring spirit alive.
