Michael Tucker

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameMichael•Tucker
Used nameMichael•Tucker
Born23 August 1954 in Melbourne, Victoria (AUS)
Died17 January 2012
Measurements198 cm / 87 kg
AffiliationsSE Melbourne
NOC Australia

Biography

Michael Tucker competed at both the 1976 and 1980 Olympics in basketball. He was named to the Australian National Team in 1975, helping them win the Oceania Qualifying Tournament for the Olympics that year. He had a short career, hampered by knee injuries and a life-threatening blood clot. He was diagnosed with Marfan Syndrome as a teen and advised not to play basketball, because of its risk, but continued to do so, stating that he loved the game too much.

Tucker went into coaching, becoming the head coach of the Australian men’s wheelchair team, and leading them through 1995. He helped them to a fifth-place finish at the 1990 World Cup, eighth place at the 1992 Barcelona Paralympics, and sixth place at the 1994 World Championships.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1976 Summer Olympics Basketball (Basketball) AUS Michael Tucker
Basketball, Men (Olympic) Australia 8
1980 Summer Olympics Basketball (Basketball) AUS Michael Tucker
Basketball, Men (Olympic) Australia 8