Lesley Cantwell

Lesley Cantwell
Personal information
BornLesley Judith Cantwell
(1987-02-22)22 February 1987
Te Anau, New Zealand
Died7 June 2013(2013-06-07) (aged 26)
Papeete, French Polynesia
Sport
CountryNew Zealand
SportRacewalking
Medal record
Women's athletics
Representing  New Zealand
Oceania Championships
2013 Papeete 5000 m

Lesley Judith Cantwell (22 February 1987 – 7 June 2013) was a New Zealand racewalker. Cantwell won the gold medal in the women's 5000 m road walk at the 2013 Oceania Athletics Championships in Tahiti on 4 June 2013. While waiting for the medal ceremony, she felt unwell and collapsed. She was taken to a local hospital where she died three days later. Cantwell died on 7 June 2013, aged 26, from a suspected subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Cantwell was born in Te Anau on 22 February 1987, and was educated at Fiordland College. Her father, Shaun Cantwell, coached athletics and taught at Fiordland College. Her mother, Judith Cantwell, also an athlete, won the New Zealand national 1500 metres title in 1989.