Malcolm Boyd Duff, 65 — who represented New Zealand at the Melbourne Games in 2006 — had his case called before the High Court at Dunedin yesterday while he remained in hospital.
He was charged with the murder of his partner Jillian Sherie Clark after she was found dead at their Crichton home on January 23.
Counsel Sarah Saunderson-Warner entered a not-guilty plea on her client’s behalf.
Duff’s identity had been subject to a suppression order since he was charged, but Ms Saunderson-Warner yesterday said she would not apply for an extension of that.
The defendant’s first court hearing was conducted by his hospital bedside following his arrest.
The man did not speak during that brief session and communicated using a whiteboard.
Details of his specific injuries and the treatment he had received were suppressed.
Following Dr Clark’s death, flowers were laid at the foot of a sign reading "The Country Vet" outside her home.
Her family described her as "[an] unfailingly generous, big-hearted person, who always had a smile on her face".
At the 2006 Games, Duff competed in skeet shooting, singles and doubles, where he placed 10th and seventh overall.
His case will next be called in May.
