Ms Laura Thompson, ONZM, of Invercargill, for services to Paralympic cycling
Laura Thompson is a sighted pilot for Para-cyclists. Following the London Olympics, she began a partnership with Para-cyclist Emma Foy.
The pair won gold with a world record in the Pursuit at the 2014 UCI Para Cycling Track World Championships.
They competed in the 2016 UCI Para Cycling Track World Championships in the Women’s B 3km Pursuits, winning their third consecutive world title.
They competed at the Rio De Janeiro Paralympic Games, winning silver in the Women’s B Individual Pursuit and bronze in the Women’s B Road Race.
Ms Thompson retired from competing with 10 world championship medals and five Paralympic medals and has transitioned to coaching, sharing her knowledge with other coaches and aspiring Para athletes and pilots as Para Cycling National Development Coordinator with Paralympics New Zealand.