Double Paralympic medallist and Wānaka resident Adam Hall returned to New Zealand yesterday (Wednesday March 16), along with Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) Chef de Mission Jane Stevens, and coaches Ben Adams and Scott Palmer.

Adam added a further two bronze medals to his collection at the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games following a gold medal at Vancouver 2010, and a gold and a bronze at PyeongChang 2018.

“Just to get to one Paralympic Games is a huge achievement in itself, but to represent your country at five consecutive games and win a total of five Paralympic medals over that time is mind-boggling,” Queenstown Lakes District mayor Jim Boult said.

Wānaka resident Corey Peters won gold and silver medals at Beijing. 

Jim was at Queenstown International Airport to welcome Adam home and offer “heartfelt congratulations”.

The council is looking at options for “appropriate recognition” for the local athletes who competed at both this year’s Winter Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

“We’d love to organise something public once restrictions on gatherings have eased and all of the athletes have returned,” Jim said.

“We’re all incredibly proud of them, especially Adam and Corey along with Zoi Sadowski-Synnott, Nico Porteous and everyone from the Queenstown Lakes District who has reached such heights over these last few weeks,” he said.

“They are an inspiration to us all and I’m sure their success will attract even more people from across the country to head to our local ski fields this winter.”

PHOTO: Supplied