Sir John Walker steps down from Auckland Council committee

Sir John Walker has stepped down from chairing an Auckland Council committee. Photo / Paul Taylor

Olympic gold medalist Sir John Walker has stepped down from chairing an Auckland Council committee for medical reasons.

The 63-year-old councillor, who was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease in the early 1990s, has resigned as chair of the council's audit and risk committee.

Sir John told the Herald he could not continue chairing the committee properly but would continue work as a councillor.

He said his health had not deteriorated, but the medication he was on was a "bit hit and miss".

In the past year, Sir John has had difficulty with walking and trouble speaking.

The athletics great won 1500m gold at the Montreal Olympics and became the first person to break 3 minutes 50 seconds for the mile and run more than 100 sub-four minute miles.

He was first elected to the Manukau City Council in 1998 and is behind of one of South Auckland's most talked-about initiatives in recent years _ the Find Your Field of Dreams Foundation.

The initiative has seen thousands of youngsters take up regular swimming lessons and sports in various parks around the Southside over the years. His push to provide a better atmosphere and create better opportunities for local youth _ through sport _ has made him a much-loved figure in South Auckland.