One of the most successful Paralympic athletes the world has ever seen, Rob Matthews, has died aged 56.
Matthews, who was blind, had a stellar career competing in seven Paralympic Games for Great Britain where he set 22 world records, won 29 Gold medals as well as 15 Silver and Bronze medals.
After this success he emigrated to New Zealand, where he lived in Auckland with his Kiwi wife Sarah and their two children.
Matthews competed for New Zealand in marathon running, Paralympic cycling and para-triathlons winning a silver medal for NZ in 2009 at the Para-triathlon Championships on the Gold Coast
The celebrated athlete was also awarded an MBE by Her Majesty the Queen for Services to Sport for the Disabled.
His family say he passed peacefully yesterday surrounded by family after a brave battle with brain cancer.
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