GARY O’REILLY
Hometown: Portlaoise, Co Laois.
Coach: Ralf Lindschulten
Classification: H5 handcycling
Disability Group: Acquired
Gary broke his back in a work-place accident in 2014. Getting fit through cycling has helped him progress to using crutches now, only using wheelchair for longer distances and he has made remarkably quick progress in international handcycling.
He had no interest in sport before his accident and initially took part in wheelchair basketball and rugby. A chance meeting with Irish teammate Declan Slevin at a basketball game led him towards handcycling and he started competing in the National League in 2017.
In his first World Road Championships in 2019 he finished sixth. This year he won bronze in the Time Trial at the World Road Championships (Portugal) in June where he was also fourth in the Road Race. He is a fulltime athlete. His club is Laois Cycling Club.
Tokyo 2021 Results:
O’ Reilly finished 4th in the H5 Road Race. He then went one better with a 3rd place finish in the H5 time trial winning bronze for Team Ireland.
