A Northern Irish triathlete, who has already represented Ireland in paratriathlon, has launched an online funding appeal to raise enough money to buy a racing tandem that fits him properly.
Oliver Gunning, a 17-year-old from Ballyclare in Co Antrim, wants to represent Northern Ireland at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and is aiming for Team Ireland selection for the Paris Paralympics in 2024.
However, while he is part of the Triathlon Ireland high performance set-up already, he and his racing partner are riding on a borrowed tandem that was custom built for a duo much smaller than they are.
As a result, a new bike is required to take Oliver’s career to the next level. And because good quality racing tandems are expensive, the teenager has launched a crowdfunding drive online.
At the time of writing he had raised £1,990 but he needs to reach a target of £19,800; a significant fee that he requires the goodwill of the public – and cycling and triathlon community.
Oliver is visually impaired as he was diagnosed with congenital glaucoma when aged 3-years-old. He has since undergone 28 surgeries on his eyes. When he was aged 5 years his family was told he would “never be able to ride a bike, swim, drive a car” or play any type of competitive sports.
“I am happy to say that I didn’t follow that advice in its entirety. With the help of so many people that I couldn’t possibly list them all here, I am currently competing in triathlons at international level, proudly representing Ireland,” he said.
The 17-year-old secondary school student has raced for Ireland in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; Alhandra, Portugal; Valencia, Spain. He was the youngest para triathlete at the World Championships in Abu Dhabi at the end of October.
“The tandem bike that I am currently borrowing is coming to the end of its useful life as it is almost ten years old,” Oliver explains on his crowdfunding page. “The tandem has had a number of previous owners, been put through many races, but crucially was custom built for a triathlete, half a foot smaller than me.
“This means that the racing position for both the guide and I is inefficient and slows us down. Additionally, you can imagine the mechanical issues of a ten year old bike, and the worry about mechanical failures during a race.”
Oliver was initially introduced to guided running by British Blind Sport a few years ago, resulting in him joining a local running club. There he met a Triathlon Ireland coach who introduced Oliver to triathlon immediately on discovering he could swim and cycle.
If you can help in any way, Oliver’s funding page can be accessed at this link.
