Today we feature Para-Cyclist, Richael Timothy on this weeks Women In Sport Focus.
Richael hasn’t been on the Para-Cycling seen all that long, she already has a World Championship medal, won in February of this year. She has previously represented her country in soccer and also a Gaelic footballer, playing as goalkeeper for her county, Roscommon.
At the age of 21, Richael had played her last football match, as she was forced to retire due to a rare condition called HHT (Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia).
Richael watched the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games from hospital, although she had her sights set on a return to her beloved Gaelic football, this was not possible. Instead, she began her journey in cycling, with her main goal to qualify for Tokyo 2020.
The Ballymore woman soon realised competitive cycling was the perfect outlet for her appetite for competition and got in contact with the Cycling Ireland development coaches, she was soon on the Cycling Ireland development squad.
Richael got 2020 off to a great start with her first international medal, finishing third in the WC3 Scratch race at the World Track Championships. Like every other athlete, Richael had to readjust her focus to the 2021 calendar with the ultimate goal qualifying for the Paralympic Games.
The story of Richael Timothy is one of incredible determination and bravery, overcoming obstacles and still following a passion to compete at the highest level in sport.
Click below to read our Q&A with Richael.
