View source for Kurt Fearnley

{{short description|Australian wheelchair racer}}
{{Use Australian English|date=January 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox sportsperson
| name = Kurt Fearnley
| honorific_suffix = [[Order of Australia|AO]] [[Paralympic symbols#Post-nominal|PLY]]
| image = 150611 - Kurt Fearnley - 3b - 2012 Team processing.jpg
| headercolor = green
| textcolor = yellow
| caption = 2012 Australian Paralympic team portrait of Fearnley
| full_name = Kurt Harry Fearnley
| nickname = 
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|3|23|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Cowra]], [[New South Wales]], Australia
| death_date = 
| death_place = 
| height = 140 cm
| weight = 50 kg
| website = {{URL|https://www.kurtfearnley.com/}}
| country = Australia
| sport = 
| collegeteam = 
| club = 
| medaltemplates = 
{{MedalCount
|[[Summer Paralympic Games|Paralympic Games]]|3|7|3
|[[IPC Athletics World Championships|World Championships]]|4|0|1
|[[Commonwealth Games]]|2|2|0
|'''Total'''|'''9'''|'''9'''|'''4'''
}}
{{Medal|Sport|Men's [[Athletics (sport)|athletics]]}}
{{Medal|Competition|[[Paralympic Games]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2004 Summer Paralympics|2004 Athens]]|[[Athletics at the 2004 Summer Paralympics|5000&nbsp;m T54]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|2004 Athens|[[Athletics at the 2004 Summer Paralympics|Marathon T54]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2008 Summer Paralympics|2008 Beijing]]|[[Athletics at the 2008 Summer Paralympics|Marathon T54]]}}
{{Medal|Silver|[[2000 Summer Paralympics|2000 Sydney]]|[[Athletics at the 2000 Summer Paralympics|800&nbsp;m T54]]}}
{{Medal|Silver|2000 Sydney|[[Athletics at the 2000 Summer Paralympics|4×100&nbsp;m relay T53/T54]]}}
{{Medal|Silver|2004 Athens|[[Athletics at the 2004 Summer Paralympics|4×100&nbsp;m relay T53/T54]]}}
{{Medal|Silver|2008 Beijing|[[Athletics at the 2008 Summer Paralympics|800&nbsp;m T54]]}}
{{Medal|Silver|2008 Beijing|[[Athletics at the 2008 Summer Paralympics|5000&nbsp;m T54]]}}
{{Medal|Silver|[[2012 Summer Paralympics|2012 London]]|[[Athletics at the 2012 Summer Paralympics|5000&nbsp;m T54]]}}
{{Medal|Silver|[[2016 Summer Paralympics|2016 Rio de Janeiro]]|[[Athletics at the 2016 Summer Paralympics – Men's marathon|Marathon T54]]}}
{{Medal|Bronze|2008 Beijing|[[Athletics at the 2008 Summer Paralympics|1500&nbsp;m T54]]}}
{{Medal|Bronze|2012 London|[[Athletics at the 2012 Summer Paralympics – Men's marathon|Marathon&nbsp;T54]]}}
{{Medal|Bronze|2016 Rio de Janeiro|[[Athletics at the 2016 Summer Paralympics|5000&nbsp;m T53/54]]}}
{{Medal|Competition|[[IPC Athletics World Championships]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|2006 Assen|800&nbsp;m T54}}
{{Medal|Gold|2006 Assen|5000&nbsp;m T54}}
{{Medal|Gold|2006 Assen|Marathon T54}}
{{Medal|Gold|2011 Christchurch|Marathon T54}}
{{Medal|Bronze|2006 Assen|1500&nbsp;m T54}} 
{{Medal|Competition|[[Commonwealth Games]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2010 Commonwealth Games|2010 Delhi]]|[[Athletics at the 2010 Commonwealth Games – Men's 1500&nbsp;metres (T54)|1500&nbsp;m T54]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2018 Commonwealth Games|2018 Gold Coast]]|[[Athletics at the 2018 Commonwealth Games – Men's marathon (T54)|Marathon T54]]}}
{{Medal|Silver|[[2014 Commonwealth Games|2014 Glasgow]]|[[Athletics at the 2014 Commonwealth Games – Men's 1500&nbsp;metres (T54)|1500&nbsp;m T54]]}}
{{Medal|Silver|2018 Gold Coast|[[Athletics at the 2018 Commonwealth Games – Men's 1500&nbsp;metres (T54)|1500&nbsp;m T54]]}}
}}

'''Kurt Harry Fearnley''', {{postnominals|country=AUS|AO}} {{Post-nominals|list=[[Paralympic_symbols#Post-nominal|PLY]]}}<ref name="kemp">{{cite news |last1=Kemp |first1=Emma |title=Kurt Fearnley humbled by Queen's Honours |url=https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/5459005/kurt-fearnley-humbled-by-queens-honour/ |access-date=10 June 2018 |work=Newcastle Herald |date=11 June 2018 |archive-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612162142/https://www.theherald.com.au/story/5459005/kurt-fearnley-humbled-by-queens-honour/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="oam">{{cite web |url=https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1057850 |title=Fearnley, Kurt |publisher=It's an Honour |access-date=1 February 2012 |archive-date=8 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808051750/http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=1057850&search_type=quick&showInd=true |url-status=dead}}</ref> (born 23 March 1981) is an Australian [[Wheelchair racing|wheelchair racer]], who has won gold medals at the [[Paralympic Games]] and crawled the [[Kokoda Track]] without a wheelchair. He has a [[Birth defect|congenital disorder]] called [[Caudal regression syndrome|sacral agenesis]] which prevented [[fetal development]] of certain parts of his lower spine and all of his [[sacrum]]. In Paralympic events he is classified in the [[T54 (classification)|T54 classification]]. He focuses on long and middle-distance wheelchair races, and has also won medals in sprint relays. He participated in the [[Athletics at the 2000 Summer Paralympics|2000]], [[Athletics at the 2004 Summer Paralympics|2004]], [[Athletics at the 2008 Summer Paralympics|2008]], [[Athletics at the 2012 Summer Paralympics|2012]] and [[Athletics at the 2016 Summer Paralympics|2016 Summer Paralympic Games]], finishing his Paralympic Games career with thirteen medals (three gold, seven silver and three bronze).<ref name="athletics">{{cite web |title=Australian Paralympic Athletics Team announced |url=https://www.paralympic.org.au/11564-2/ |website=Australian Paralympic Committee News, 2 August 2016 |access-date=2 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409092529/https://www.paralympic.org.au/11564-2/ |archive-date=9 April 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=abcrio/><ref name=rio/> He won a gold and silver medal at the [[2018 Commonwealth Games]] and was the Australian flag bearer at the closing ceremony.

== Personal life ==
Fearnley was born on 23 March 1981 in [[Cowra|Cowra, New South Wales]] as the youngest of five children.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kurtfearnley.com/results.shtml |title=Results |publisher=KurtFearnley.com |access-date=25 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405073011/http://kurtfearnley.com/results.shtml |archive-date=5 April 2012}}</ref><ref name=abc>{{cite web |title=Kurt Fearnley on Andrew Denton's Enough Rope |url=http://www.abc.net.au/tv/enoughrope/transcripts/s2343583.htm |work=Australian Broadcasting Corporation Website |access-date=22 June 2012 |archive-date=20 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020174454/http://www.abc.net.au/tv/enoughrope/transcripts/s2343583.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> He was born with [[caudal regression syndrome|sacral agenesis]]; he is missing certain parts of his lower spine and all of his [[sacrum]].<ref name="coutts">{{cite book |last=Coutts |first=Gordon |title=Kurt Fearnley – Takes on the Challenge |year=2010 |publisher=MacMillan Education Australia |location=Sydney |isbn=9781420290615}}</ref> At the time of his birth, doctors did not believe he would live longer than a week.<ref name="coutts" /> He grew up in [[Carcoar, New South Wales|Carcoar]].<ref name="coutts" /> At school, he took part in all sports, including athletics and rugby league.<ref name="coutts" /> He won his first athletics medal in the long jump.<ref name="abc" /><ref name="coutts" /> He took up wheelchair racing at the age of 14 and took it to an elite level at the age of 17.
{{Quote box
| align = left
| width = 30%
| quote = The town had got together and raised $10,000 and they bought the chair and they ... paid for the trip and they said if he needs anything else you know we're going to make sure that he ... gets that opportunity. So it's a town of 200 people within a week had had 10 grand sitting there, so it was it's nice now that I know that Carcoar have this ... bond I guess, or they know that they're the reason that I'm here.
| source = Kurt Fearnley<ref name=abc/>
}}
After leaving [[Blayney, New South Wales|Blayney]] High School, he moved to Sydney to train and start a Bachelor of Human Movement degree.<ref name=aa/> He lives in [[Newcastle, New South Wales|Newcastle]] and is a teacher.<ref name="ipcbio">{{cite web |title=Kurt Fearnley |url=http://ipc.infostradasports.com/asp/lib/TheASP.asp?pageid=8937&sportid=-1&personid=686791 |work=International Paralympic Committee Athlete Profiles |access-date=23 June 2012 |archive-date=22 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222160443/http://ipc.infostradasports.com/asp/lib/TheASP.asp?pageid=8937&sportid=-1&personid=686791 |url-status=live}}</ref> He is {{convert|1.4|m}} tall and weighs {{convert|50|kg}}.<ref name="ipcbio"/>

In 2010, Fearnley married Sheridan Rosconi at [[Glenrock Lagoon]]. Fearnley and Rosconi met while studying at [[Charles Sturt University]] in [[Bathurst, New South Wales]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.westernadvocate.com.au/story/913834/kurt-marries-his-csu-sweetheart/ |publisher=Western Advocate |title=Kurt marries his CSU sweetheart |date=14 December 2010 |access-date=10 April 2018 |archive-date=11 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411025716/http://www.westernadvocate.com.au/story/913834/kurt-marries-his-csu-sweetheart/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Their first son, Harry, was born in 2013 with a second child, a daughter Emilia born in 2017.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/athlete-kurt-fearnley-on-sport-life-love-and-what-it-takes-to-become-a-champion/news-story/6b750ba3b118ba53ebc25aea07a95340 |title=Athlete Kurt Fearnley on sport, life, love and what it takes to become a champion |work=The Courier-Mail |date=13 December 2014 |access-date=10 April 2018 |archive-date=12 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412221830/http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/athlete-kurt-fearnley-on-sport-life-love-and-what-it-takes-to-become-a-champion/news-story/6b750ba3b118ba53ebc25aea07a95340 |url-status=live}}</ref>
 
In 2014, his autobiography, ''Pushing the Limits: Life, Marathons & Kokoda'', was published.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Fearnley |first1=Kurt |title=Pushing the Limits : Life, Marathons & Kokoda |date=2014 |publisher=Penguin |location=Australia |isbn=9781743483053 |url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/191219503 |access-date=24 July 2017 |archive-date=21 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821045150/http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/191219503 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Athletic career==
[[File:301000 - Athletics wheelchair racing Kurt Fearnely waves - 3b - 2000 Sydney race photo.jpg|thumb|left|Fearnley waving to crowd at 2000 Sydney Paralympics]]
[[File:301000 - Athletics wheelchair racing Kurt Fearnley action 3 - 3b - 2000 Sydney race photo.jpg|thumb|left|Fearnley racing at 2000 Sydney Paralympics]]

In 1997, Fearnley was a member of the Western Region Academy of Sport<ref name="WRAS">[http://wras.org.au/hall-of-fame/ Western Region Academy of Sport Hall of Fame] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091003202115/http://wras.org.au/hall-of-fame/ |date=3 October 2009 }}, WRAS Website, 14 January 2010</ref> and by the [[2000 Summer Paralympics|2000 Sydney Paralympics]] was representing [[Australia at the 2000 Summer Paralympics|Australia]]. At these Games, Fearnley won two silver medals in the 800&nbsp;m and 4×100&nbsp;m relay events.<ref name="IPC">{{cite web |url=https://www.paralympic.org/kurt-fearnley |title=Kurt Fearnley |website=Paralympic.org |publisher=[[International Paralympic Committee]] |access-date=6 October 2012}}</ref> He also represented his country in the demonstration sport of [[Wheelchair racing at the 2000 Summer Olympics|Men's 1500&nbsp;m wheelchair]], where he came 4th. He went to the 2002 [[World Para Athletics Championships|IPC Athletics World Championships]] in [[Birmingham]], [[England]] and finished 7th in both the 400&nbsp;m and 800&nbsp;m T54 events.

At the [[2004 Olympic Games]], he finished 5th in the demonstration sport of [[Wheelchair racing at the 2004 Summer Olympics|Men's 1500&nbsp;m wheelchair]]. Following this he won two gold medals in the 5000&nbsp;m T54 and marathon T54 events at the [[2004 Summer Paralympics|2004 Athens Paralympics]],<ref name="IPC"/> for which he received a [[Order of Australia|Medal of the Order of Australia]].<ref name="oam"/> At the 2006 [[World Para Athletics Championships|IPC Athletics World Championships]] in [[Assen]], Netherlands, he won three gold medals and one bronze medal. Participating in his third Paralympics in [[2008 Summer Paralympics|Beijing]], he won a gold medal in the marathon T54, two silver medals in the 800&nbsp;m T54 and 5000&nbsp;m T54 events and a bronze medal in the 1500&nbsp;m T54 event.<ref name="IPC"/>

On 30 September 2009, Fearnley conducted a training climb of [[Sydney]]'s [[Sydney Tower|Centrepoint Tower]]'s 1,504 [[Fire escape|fire stairs]] in 20&nbsp;minutes, taking them two at a time. While far short of the 6m 52s record for the annual [[Centrepoint Tower#Cultural events|charity climb]] ([[Sydney Tower|Sydney Tower Run-up]]), the Tower's manager said this was quicker than the 25 minutes required by most able-bodied people.<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/09/30/2700686.htm 2 at a time: Paralympian climbs Centrepoint on his hands] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091003121932/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/09/30/2700686.htm |date=3 October 2009 }}, [[ABC Online]], 30 September 2009</ref> In 2009, he won his fourth [[New York City Marathon]] title, his third consecutive title in the [[Chicago Marathon]] and victories in [[Seoul International Marathon|Seoul]], [[Paris Marathon|Paris]], [[London Marathon|London]] and [[Sydney Marathon|Sydney]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.celebrityspeakers.com.au/inspiring-speakers/kurt-fearnley/ |title=Speaker Profile of Kurt Fearnley at The Celebrity Speakers Bureau |access-date=20 July 2011 |archive-date=27 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110627133704/http://www.celebrityspeakers.com.au/inspiring-speakers/kurt-fearnley/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In November 2009, Fearnley crawled the [[Kokoda Track|Kokoda Trail]] accompanied by family and friends in support of [[Movember]] and [[Beyond Blue]].<ref>[http://www.idpwd.com/profile_ambassadors.asp?cID=26 Kurt Fearnley] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090911223230/http://www.idpwd.com/profile_ambassadors.asp?cID=26 |date=11 September 2009 }}, [[International Day of People with Disability]], Retrieved 30 September 2009</ref> He completed the {{convert|96|km||adj=mid}} journey<ref>{{cite news |author=PNG correspondent Liam Fox and wires |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/18/2746156.htm |title=Fearnley conquers Kokoda Track |publisher=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |date=19 November 2009 |access-date=4 January 2012 |archive-date=12 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110412150234/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/18/2746156.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref> in 10 days.<ref name=coutts/> In 2009, he was awarded the Young [[Australian of the Year]] for [[New South Wales]].<ref name="smith"/>

Fearnley is active in advocacy work, and has been an ambassador for the Don't DIS my ABILITY<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dontdismyability.com.au |title=Home – Don't DIS my ABILITY – International Day of People with a Disability in NSW |publisher=Dontdismyability.com.au |date=2 November 2011 |access-date=4 January 2012 |archive-date=18 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118035142/http://www.dontdismyability.com.au/ |url-status=live}}</ref> campaign for four years. He was also a 2010 [[International Day of People with Disability]] Ambassador.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.idpwd.com.au/ |title=IDPwD ambassador |access-date=4 June 2021 |archive-date=14 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514015521/https://www.idpwd.com.au/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2010, Fearnley competed again in the New York marathon, which he came in third. In the same year his image was featured on the medal for the 2010 Blackmores Sydney Running Festival.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.celebrityspeakers.com.au/inspiring-speakers/kurt-fearnley/ |title=Profile of Kurt Fearnley |access-date=20 July 2011 |archive-date=27 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110627133704/http://www.celebrityspeakers.com.au/inspiring-speakers/kurt-fearnley/ |url-status=live}}</ref> He also won a gold medal at the [[2010 Commonwealth Games|2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games]] in the 1500&nbsp;m T54 event.<ref name=aa/>

In early 2011 at the [[World Para Athletics Championships|IPC Athletics World Championships]] in [[Christchurch]], [[New Zealand]], he won the marathon. Later in the year, Fearnley competed in the [[2011 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race]].<ref name=sydney-2-hobart>{{cite news |url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/paralympian-kurt-fearnley-up-for-the-task-in-sydney-to-hobart/story-e6frfglf-1226230258498 |title=Paralympian Kurt Fearnley up for the task in Sydney-to-Hobart |work=Herald Sun |date=26 December 2011 |access-date=4 January 2012}}</ref> 
[[File:050912 - Kurt Fearnley - 3b - 2012 Summer Paralympics.jpg|thumb|left|Fearnley racing at 2012 London Paralympics]]
At the [[2012 Summer Paralympics|2012 London Paralympics]], he was aiming to be the first person to win three consecutive marathon T54 gold medals.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.paralympic.org.au/team/kurt-fearnley |title=Kurt Fearnley |publisher=[[Australian Paralympic Committee]] |access-date=25 June 2012 |archive-date=26 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626232318/http://www.paralympic.org.au/team/kurt-fearnley |url-status=live}}</ref> However, he instead won a bronze medal in the Men's Marathon T54 and a silver medal in the Men's 5000&nbsp;m T54.<ref name="IPC"/>

Fearnley won a bronze medal in the 1500&nbsp;m T54 at the [[2014 Commonwealth Games|2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games]]; he had been fighting a virus in the days before the event.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-08-01/ballard-wins-para-1500m-gold2c-fearnley-silver/5639824 |title=Angela Ballard wins para-1500m gold, Kurt Fearnley claims silver |publisher=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |date=1 August 2014 |access-date=1 August 2014 |archive-date=1 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140801060505/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-08-01/ballard-wins-para-1500m-gold2c-fearnley-silver/5639824 |url-status=live}}</ref> In November 2014, he won his fifth New York Marathon men's wheelchair event. After the competition, he stated "That was one of the toughest races of my life" due to the high winds that nearly forced the cancellation of the wheelchair event.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kurt Fearnley wins fifth New York City Marathon; Wilson Kipsang, Mary Keitany lead Kenyan sweep |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-03/aussie-kurt-fearnley-wins-fifth-nyc-marathon/5861696 |date=3 November 2014 |access-date=2 November 2014 |work=ABC News |archive-date=3 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103115418/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-03/aussie-kurt-fearnley-wins-fifth-nyc-marathon/5861696 |url-status=live}}</ref>

At the [[2015 IPC Athletics World Championships]] in [[Doha]], he finished fourth in the Men's 5000&nbsp;m T54 and did not progress to the final of the Men's 1500&nbsp;m T54. He left Doha immediately to compete in the [[New York Marathon]] where he finished fifth after crashing at the 12-mile mark.<ref name=doha2015>{{cite web |title=Doha2015 |url=http://www.athletics.com.au/News/doha-2015-perris-keefer |website=athletics.com.au |publisher=[[Athletics Australia]] |date=27 October 2015 |access-date=27 October 2015 |archive-date=2 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202011838/http://www.athletics.com.au/News/doha-2015-perris-keefer |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Whitelaw |first1=Anya |title=Kurt Fearnley places fifth after crashing in New York Marathon |url=http://www.westernadvocate.com.au/story/3462793/fearnley-places-fifth-after-crashing-in-new-york-marathon/ |access-date=28 January 2016 |work=Western Advocate |date=3 November 2015 |archive-date=3 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203071202/http://www.westernadvocate.com.au/story/3462793/fearnley-places-fifth-after-crashing-in-new-york-marathon/ |url-status=live}}</ref> On [[Australia Day]] 2016, he won the [[Oz Day 10K Wheelchair Road Race]] for the tenth time joining [[Louise Sauvage]] as a ten-time winner of this prestigious wheelchair road race.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Debenham |first1=Sam |title=Fearnley regains that winning feeling: Carcoar star's Oz Day perfect 10 in Sydney |url=http://www.centralwesterndaily.com.au/story/3688680/fearnley-regains-that-winning-feeling-carcoar-stars-oz-day-perfect-10-in-sydney/ |access-date=28 January 2016 |work=Central Western Daily |date=27 January 2016 |archive-date=27 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127102237/http://www.centralwesterndaily.com.au/story/3688680/fearnley-regains-that-winning-feeling-carcoar-stars-oz-day-perfect-10-in-sydney/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

Throughout 2015, Fearnley co-established and co-hosted the groundbreaking live online “All Sports Show” in his home town of Newcastle and polished his skills front of the camera with fellow co-hosts sports administrator Ivan Spyrdz, distinguished journalist Brett Keeble and local sports star and former NRL player Darren Forward.

At his last Paralympics in [[2016 Summer Paralympics|Rio de Janeiro]] in 2016, Fearnley won the silver medal in the Men's Marathon T54 and the bronze medal in the Men's 5000 m T53/54.<ref name="rio">{{cite web |title=Kurt Fearnley |url=https://www.rio2016.com/en/paralympics/athlete/kurt-fearnley |website=Rio Paralympics Official site |access-date=13 September 2016 |archive-date=22 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160922202320/https://www.rio2016.com/en/paralympics/athlete/kurt-fearnley |url-status=live}}</ref>
Fearnley indicated he will race in the wheelchair marathon at the [[2018 Commonwealth Games|2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games]] and continue to race marathons on the international circuit.<ref name="abcrio">{{cite news |title=Rio 2016: Kurt Fearnley misses final Paralympics gold, Australia wins rugby title |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-19/kurt-fearnley-misses-final-paralympics-gold-in-rio/7856720 |access-date=18 September 2016 |work=ABC News |date=19 September 2016 |archive-date=19 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919131706/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-19/kurt-fearnley-misses-final-paralympics-gold-in-rio/7856720 |url-status=live}}</ref> At the end of the marathon, Fearnley said: "One of my biggest strengths is that I deal with discomfort better than most."<ref name="abcrio" />

At the [[2017 World Para Athletics Championships]] in [[London]], England, Fearnley finished sixth in both the Men's 1500 m and 5000 m T54 events.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ryner |first1=Sascha |title=Three from three for Turner as Team Australia finish with 28 medals |url=http://athletics.com.au/News/three-from-three-for-turner-as-team-australia-finish-with-28-medals |website=athletics.com.au |publisher=[[Athletics Australia]] |date=24 July 2017 |access-date=23 July 2017 |archive-date=23 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323171853/http://athletics.com.au/News/three-from-three-for-turner-as-team-australia-finish-with-28-medals |url-status=live}}</ref>

At the [[2018 Commonwealth Games|2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games]], Fearnley won the gold medal in the Men's Marathon T54 and silver in the Men's 1500 T54. He was given the honour of the flag bearer at the closing ceremony.<ref>{{cite news |title=Closing Ceremony live: All the colour and news from the final night of the Commonwealth Games |url=http://www.news.com.au/sport/commonwealth-games/closing-ceremony-live-all-the-colour-and-news-from-the-final-night-of-the-commonwealth-games/news-story/8a2fabaeb4501f9f5acab72db37c2f3b?from=rss-basic |access-date=15 April 2018 |work=News.com |date=15 April 2018 |archive-date=15 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180415190911/http://www.news.com.au/sport/commonwealth-games/closing-ceremony-live-all-the-colour-and-news-from-the-final-night-of-the-commonwealth-games/news-story/8a2fabaeb4501f9f5acab72db37c2f3b?from=rss-basic |url-status=live}}</ref>

Fearnley was coached by [[Andrew Dawes (coach)|Andrew Dawes]] at the [[New South Wales Institute of Sport]].<ref name=aa>{{cite web |title=Kurt Fearnley Profile |url=http://www.athletics.com.au/home/fanzone/athleteprofiles/kurt_fearnley |website=athletics.com.au |publisher=[[Athletics Australia]] |access-date=23 June 2012 |archive-date=4 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120704082948/http://www.athletics.com.au/home/fanzone/athleteprofiles/kurt_fearnley |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2020 Fearnley continued his media career, joining the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] to host a long form television interview program ''Kurt Fearnley's [[One Plus One (TV Program)|One Plus One]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kurt Fearnley to host new series of One Plus One on ABC |url=https://tvblackbox.com.au/page/2020/07/15/kurt-fearnley-to-host-new-series-of-one-plus-one-on-abc/ |website=TV Blackbox |date=14 July 2020 |access-date=27 July 2020 |archive-date=15 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715160259/https://tvblackbox.com.au/page/2020/07/15/kurt-fearnley-to-host-new-series-of-one-plus-one-on-abc/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Media career==
After his retirement, Fearnley has become involved in several media projects including:
* Kurt Fearnley's Tiny Island podcasts<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kurt Fearnley's Tiny Island |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/kurt-fearnleys-tiny-island/id1450747449 |access-date=1 November 2021 |website=Apple Podcasts}}</ref>
* Hosting ABC's [[One Plus One (TV program)|One Plus One]] from 2020 onward<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kurt Fearnley's One Plus One |url=https://iview.abc.net.au/show/kurt-fearnley-s-one-plus-one |access-date=1 November 2021 |website=ABC iView}}</ref>
* Hosting on SBS What Does Australia Really Think About Disability? in 2021<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rockman |first=Lisa |date=12 August 2021 |title=Noni Hazlehurst, Kurt Fearnley and Casey Donovan host new SBS documentary series 'What Does Australia Really Think About' |work=Canberra Times |url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7362646/documentary-asks-the-tough-questions/ |access-date=1 November 2021}}</ref>
* Was the voice of the Television Commentator character on the Australian animated preschool television series ''[[Bluey (TV series)|Bluey]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 21, 2024 |title=''Surprise! Another Brand New Bluey Episode Is Here!'' |url=https://www.bluey.tv/blog/surprise-another-brand-new-bluey-episode-is-here/ |publisher=Bluey.tv}}</ref>

==Boards==
Fearnley's extensive experience in disability sport has led him to be appointed to several boards.
* [[Australian Volunteers International]] 2015–2016<ref name="dsg">{{cite web |title=Not a dry eye for Kurt Fearnley's NSW Australian of the Year 2019 acceptance speech |url=https://www.disabilitysupportguide.com.au/talking-disability/not-a-dry-eye-for-kurt-fearnleys-nsw-australian-of-the-year-2019-acceptance-speech |website=Disability Support Guide website |access-date=3 January 2019 |archive-date=4 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104125446/https://www.disabilitysupportguide.com.au/talking-disability/not-a-dry-eye-for-kurt-fearnleys-nsw-australian-of-the-year-2019-acceptance-speech |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="qeeens">{{cite news |last1=Parris |first1=Michael |title=Kurt Fearnley earns new Queen's birthday honour after distinguished Australian Paralympic career |url=https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/5458469/queens-birthday-honour-caps-kurts-golden-year/ |access-date=3 January 2019 |date=11 June 2018 |archive-date=4 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104124040/https://www.theherald.com.au/story/5458469/queens-birthday-honour-caps-kurts-golden-year/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
* Australia Day Council of NSW<ref name=dsg/>
* [[National Disability Insurance Scheme]]'s Independent Advisory Council 2013–2016<ref name=dsg/>
* [[International Paralympic Committee]] Athletes Council 2016–2022<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.paralympic.org/the-ipc/councils |title=Councils |publisher=Official website of the Paralympic Movement |access-date=3 May 2019 |archive-date=26 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526195450/https://www.paralympic.org/the-ipc/councils |url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Australian Paralympic Committee]] 2016–2019<ref>{{cite web |title=APC Annual Report 2016-17 |url=https://www.paralympic.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/2016-2017-APC-Annual-Report.pdf |website=Australian Paralympic Committee |access-date=3 January 2019 |archive-date=26 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326131047/https://www.paralympic.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/2016-2017-APC-Annual-Report.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> Vice-chairman 2019<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 August 2020 |title=Fearnley elected Vice Chairperson of IPC Athletes' Council |url=https://www.paralympic.org.au/2020/08/fearnley-elected-vice-chairperson-of-ipc-athletes-council/ |website=Paralympics Australia |access-date=3 August 2020 |archive-date=11 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811000938/https://www.paralympic.org.au/2020/08/fearnley-elected-vice-chairperson-of-ipc-athletes-council/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
* Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation 2018–present<ref>{{cite news |last1=McKinney |first1=Max |title=Kurt Fearnley appointed to the Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation board |url=https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/5617898/kurt-fearnley-appointed-to-charitable-foundation-board/ |access-date=3 January 2019 |work=Newcastle Herald |date=1 September 2018 |archive-date=4 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104124059/https://www.theherald.com.au/story/5617898/kurt-fearnley-appointed-to-charitable-foundation-board/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Australian Sports Commission]] 2019–2024<ref>{{cite web |title=Sport Australia board appointments |url=https://www.sportaus.gov.au/media_centre/news/sport_australia_board_appointments |website=Sport Australia website |access-date=3 January 2019 |archive-date=28 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228132538/https://www.sportaus.gov.au/media_centre/news/sport_australia_board_appointments |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Commission |first=Australian Sports Commission; jurisdiction=Commonwealth of Australia; corporateName=Australian Sports |title=Australian Sports Commission welcomes new Commissioners |url=https://www.sportaus.gov.au/media-centre/news/australian-sports-commission-welcomes-new-commissioners |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=Australian Sports Commission |language=English}}</ref>
*[[Brisbane Organising Committee for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games]] 2021–present – Paralympics Australia athlete representative<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 October 2021 |title=Paralympic Legend Kurt Fearnley Elected To Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee |url=https://www.paralympic.org.au/2021/10/paralympic-legend-kurt-fearnley-elected-to-brisbane-2032-organising-committee/ |access-date=1 November 2021 |website=Paralympics Australia}}</ref>
* National Disability Insurance Agency Chair 2022–present<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jervis-Bardy |first=Dan |date=26 September 2022 |title=Kurt Fearnley appointed chair of the National Disability Insurance Agency, in charge of the NDIS |work=Canberra Times |url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7918073/kurt-fearnley-appointed-chair-of-the-ndia/ |access-date=26 September 2022}}</ref>

==Recognition==
[[File:Kurt Fearnley, Quentin Bryce and Queen Elizabeth II 21.jpg|thumb|Fearnley meets [[Quentin Bryce]] and [[Elizabeth II|The Queen]] at [[Government House, Canberra]], in 2011]]
* [[2005 Australia Day Honours|2005]] – [[Order of Australia|Medal of the Order of Australia]] (OAM)<ref name=oam/>
* 2007 – [[New South Wales Institute of Sport]] Athlete of the Year<ref name=smith>{{cite book |last=Smith |first=Jeanette |title=Pushing strong : celebrating fifty years of wheelchair sports NSW : 1961–2011 |year=2011 |publisher=Playright Publishing |location=Sydney |isbn=9780980666694 |pages=102–103}}</ref> 
* 2007 – Western Region Academy Hall of fame inductee<ref name="WRAS"/>
* 2007 – Confederation of Australian Sport Athlete of the Year with a Disability<ref name=smith/>
* 2007 – New South Wales Sports Federation Athlete of the Year<ref name=smith/>
* 2007 – [[Laureus World Sports Awards]] finalist<ref name=smith/>
* 2009 – New South Wales Young [[Australian of the Year]]<ref name=smith/>
* 2009 – Laureus World Sports Awards finalist
* 2011 – ''[[The Age]]''{{'}}s Sport Performer Award in the Performer with a Disability nominee<ref name=sport-performer2>{{cite web |access-date=15 November 2011 |url=http://www.performerawards.com.au/2011-performer-awards/2011-nominees#twoj_fragment1-5 |title=2011 Nominees |publisher=Sport Performer Awards |location=Melbourne, Victoria |year=2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111116190204/http://www.performerawards.com.au/2011-performer-awards/2011-nominees |archive-date=16 November 2011}}</ref>
* 2014 – [[Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre]] Path of Champions inductee<ref>{{cite web |title=2014 Induction Ceremony |url=http://www.aquaticcentre.com.au/attractions/path_of_champions/2014_induction_ceremony |website=Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre website |access-date=25 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150310022145/http://www.aquaticcentre.com.au/attractions/path_of_champions/2014_induction_ceremony |archive-date=10 March 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* 2014 – [[Australian Institute of Sport Awards|AIS Sport Performance Awards]] – Sport Personality of the Year<ref name=2014awards>{{cite web |title=Rabbitohs, Fearnley, Fox win top ASPAS |url=http://www.ausport.gov.au/news/ais_news/story_620426_rabbitohs,_fearnley,_fox_win_top_aspas |website=Australian Sports Commission News |date=11 February 2015 |access-date=11 February 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211232450/http://www.ausport.gov.au/news/ais_news/story_620426_rabbitohs%2C_fearnley%2C_fox_win_top_aspas |archive-date=11 February 2015}}</ref>
*2016 – [[Centennial Park, New South Wales|Centennial Park]]'s visitor hub was officially named Fearnley Grounds<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cronshaw |first1=Damon |title=Centennial Park precinct named after Newcastle wheelchair racer Kurt Fearnley |url=https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/3671029/king-kurt-gets-another-gong/ |access-date=19 January 2016 |work=Newcastle Herald |date=18 January 2016 |archive-date=25 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125215236/http://www.theherald.com.au/story/3671029/king-kurt-gets-another-gong/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
*2016 – Team Captain with [[Daniela Di Toro]] – [[Australia at the 2016 Summer Paralympics|Australian Team at the 2016 Rio Paralympics]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Fearnley and Di Toro to captain 2016 team |url=https://www.paralympic.org.au/fearnley-and-di-toro-to-captain-2016-australian-paralympic-team/ |website=Australian Paralympic Committee News |date=4 February 2016 |access-date=4 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311001145/https://www.paralympic.org.au/fearnley-and-di-toro-to-captain-2016-australian-paralympic-team/ |archive-date=11 March 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
*2018 – Australian flag bearer at the [[2018 Commonwealth Games]] closing ceremony
*[[2018 Queen's Birthday Honours (Australia)|2018]] – [[Officer of the Order of Australia]] (AO) for distinguished service to people with a disability, as a supporter of, and fundraiser for indigenous athletics and charitable organisations, and as a Paralympic athlete.<ref name=kemp/>
*2018 – [[Sport Australia Hall of Fame Awards#The Don Award|Sport Australia Hall of Fame 'Don Award']] – the award recognises the sporting achievement of the year which has inspired the people of Australia.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kurt Fearnley creates history with 'The Don' Award as the late Richie Benaud is elevated to Legend on a marvellous night for Australian sport |url=http://commonwealthgames.com.au/kurt-fearnley-creates-history-by-receiving-the-don-award/ |website=Commonwealth Games Australia website |date=11 October 2018 |access-date=11 October 2018 |archive-date=12 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012014532/http://commonwealthgames.com.au/kurt-fearnley-creates-history-by-receiving-the-don-award/ |url-status=live}}</ref> He was the first athlete with a disability to win the award. The Don Award has been claimed to be Australian sport's "highest honour".<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Don Award &#124; Sport Australia Hall of Fame |url=https://sahof.org.au/awards/the-don-award/ |access-date=20 April 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref>
*2018 – GQ Sporting Legend<ref>{{cite web |title=GQ Men of the Year |url=http://www.bandt.com.au/marketing/gq-men-year-todd-sampson-wins-media-joel-edgerton-takes-top-gong |website=Bandt website |date=14 November 2018 |access-date=19 November 2018 |archive-date=19 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119092006/http://www.bandt.com.au/marketing/gq-men-year-todd-sampson-wins-media-joel-edgerton-takes-top-gong |url-status=live}}</ref>
*2019 – [[New South Wales]] [[Australian of the Year]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Visentin |first1=Lisa |title=Kurt Fearnley named NSW Australian of the Year 2019 |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/kurt-fearnley-named-nsw-australian-of-the-year-2019-20181112-p50fk1.html |access-date=18 November 2018 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=12 November 2018 |archive-date=18 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118114407/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/kurt-fearnley-named-nsw-australian-of-the-year-2019-20181112-p50fk1.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
*2018 – [[Australian Institute of Sport Awards#ABC Best Sporting Moment of The Year|AIS Sport Performance Awards – ABC Best Sporting Moment of The Year]]
*2019 – Kurt Fearnley Scholarship established by [[Commonwealth Games Australia]] and the Carbine Club of NSW to assist talented individual Para-sport athletes in NSW<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://commonwealthgames.com.au/kurt-fearnley-scholarships-to-support-future-stars/ |title=Kurt Fearnley Scholarships to support future stars |website=Commonwealth Games Australia |date=4 April 2019 |access-date=5 April 2019 |archive-date=14 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414131732/http://commonwealthgames.com.au/kurt-fearnley-scholarships-to-support-future-stars/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
*2019 – Patron for International Day of People with Disability.
*2020 – a [[river-class ferry]] on the [[Sydney Ferries]] network was named in his honour<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nswis.com.au/nswis-news/nswis-alumni-celebrated-on-new-river-class-ferries/ |title=NSWIS alumni celebrated on new River Class ferries |publisher=[[New South Wales Institute of Sport]] |date=6 October 2020 |access-date=6 October 2023 |archive-date=9 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009171821/https://www.nswis.com.au/nswis-news/nswis-alumni-celebrated-on-new-river-class-ferries/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*2021 – New York Road Runners (NYRR) Hall of Fame<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 November 2021 |title=Hall of Fame for alumni Kurt Fearnley, while Madison de Rozario readies |url=https://www.nswis.com.au/nswis-news/hall-of-fame-for-alumni-kurt-fearnley-while-madison-de-rozario-readies/ |access-date=8 November 2021 |website=NSW Institute of Sport}}</ref>
*2022 – [[Paralympics Australia]] Hall of Fame<ref name="pa2022">{{Cite web |date=9 June 2022 |title=De Rozario And Tudhope Earn Top Honours at Paralympics Australia Awards |url=https://www.paralympic.org.au/2022/06/de-rozario-and-tudhope-earn-top-honours-at-paralympics-australia-awards/ |access-date=10 June 2022 |website=Paralympics Australia}}</ref>
*2022 – New South Wales Institute of Sport 'Most Outstanding'<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 October 2022 |title=NSWIS Award Winners Announced |url=https://www.nswis.com.au/nswis-news/nswis-award-winners-announced/ |access-date=28 October 2022 |website=New South Wales Institute of Sport}}</ref>
*2023 - [[Sport Australia Hall of Fame Awards|Sport Australia Hall of Fame]] inductee<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 October 2023 |title=2023 SAHOF Inductees &#124; Sport Australia Hall of Fame |url=https://sahof.org.au/2023-sahof-inductees/ |access-date=3 October 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [http://athletics.possumbility.com/athletes/athlete6232.htm Kurt Fearnley] at Australian Athletics Historical Results
* {{Paralympics Australia|kurt-fearnley}} ([https://web.archive.org/web/20150918222920/https://paralympic.org.au/athlete/kurt-fearnley/ archive])
* {{CGA profile|kurt-fearnley}}
* {{IPC profile|id=kurt-fearnley|old_id=686791}}
* {{2010 Commonwealth Games profile|686791}}
* [https://iview.abc.net.au/show/kurt-fearnley-s-one-plus-one Kurt Fearnley's One Plus One] on the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]]
* {{Official website|http://kurtfearnley.com/}}

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