Ian Ferguson

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games • Other
SexMale
Full nameIan Gordon•Ferguson
Used nameIan•Ferguson
Nick/petnamesFerg
Born20 July 1952 in Taumarunui, Manawatu-Wanganui (NZL)
Measurements179 cm / 85 kg
NOC New Zealand
Medals OG
Gold 4
Silver 1
Bronze 0
Total 5

Biography

When Ian Ferguson first competed at an Olympic Games in 1976 and even again when he was one of the tiny team in Moscow in 1980, few would have seen him as one of New Zealand’s greatest sportsmen. Yet that’s what he became – two gold medals (K1 and K2 500 m) in one day in the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 1984, then another the next day (K4 1000 m).

Four years later, in Seoul, there was another gold medal (K2 500 m), plus a silver (K2 1000 m). At the Flatwater World Championships he won five medals: gold 1985 K2 500 m and 1987 K2 1000 m, silver 1983 K1 500 m, 1987 K2 500 m, and 1990 K2 10000 m. In all the K2 events he partnered with Paul MacDonald. Ferguson also won gold and silver competing for New Zealand in surf lifesaving. A son, Steven Ferguson, competed in swimming at the 2000 Games and in kayaking in 2004 and 2008.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1976 Summer Olympics Canoe Sprint (Canoeing) NZL Ian Ferguson
Kayak Singles, 500 metres, Men (Olympic) 4 h2 r2/4
1980 Summer Olympics Canoe Sprint (Canoeing) NZL Ian Ferguson
Kayak Singles, 500 metres, Men (Olympic) 7
Kayak Singles, 1,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 8
Kayak Fours, 1,000 metres, Men (Olympic) New Zealand DNS
1984 Summer Olympics Canoe Sprint (Canoeing) NZL Ian Ferguson
Kayak Singles, 500 metres, Men (Olympic) 1 Gold
Kayak Doubles, 500 metres, Men (Olympic) Paul MacDonald 1 Gold
Kayak Fours, 1,000 metres, Men (Olympic) New Zealand 1 Gold
1988 Summer Olympics Canoe Sprint (Canoeing) NZL Ian Ferguson
Kayak Doubles, 500 metres, Men (Olympic) Paul MacDonald 1 Gold
Kayak Doubles, 1,000 metres, Men (Olympic) Paul MacDonald 2 Silver
1992 Summer Olympics Canoe Sprint (Canoeing) NZL Ian Ferguson
Kayak Doubles, 500 metres, Men (Olympic) Paul MacDonald 6 h2 r3/4
Kayak Doubles, 1,000 metres, Men (Olympic) Paul MacDonald 8

Other participations

Games Role NOC As
1988 Summer Olympics Flagbearer at the Opening Ceremony NZL Ian Ferguson

Olympic family relations

Special Notes