Denis Toomey with Catherine Walsh after another medal-winning ride at the London Paralympic Games last year.

 

 

Having been instrumental in the success of paracycling in Ireland in recent years and become president of Cycling Ireland last year, Denis Toomey has landed a major job for the Rio Paralympics.

He has been appointed Chef de Mission for the Irish team that will take on the best in the world in Brazil in 18 months.

The appointment was announced today by Paralympics Ireland. The role will keep Toomey very busy from now until the Games.

And while his role in Cycling Ireland is part time, it is unclear if he will keep on both jobs.

His appointment is a huge vote of confidence in him personally but also represents recognition that cycling has been at the forefront of the success of athletes with impairments.

The Cork man said he was “proud and honoured” with his new posting.

“I’m really looking forward to the challenge ahead and excited about supporting the athletes and staff in preparation and qualification for Rio, and of course at the Games.”

He piloted a tandem across the US in a charity event in 2000 and then founded Tandem Cycling Ireland. The following year was pilot at the World Championships in Germany as part of the first ever national team to ride at that level.

 

Toomey and Cycling Ireland head coach Brian Nugent with rider Colin Lynch on the occasion of his world title win.

 

In 2005 he became chair of Cycling Ireland’s paracycling commission.

He was also appointed manager of the Irish Paracycling team which qualified four bikes for the Beijing Paralympic Games where Ireland had three top five finishes and set seven Irish records.

With coach Brian Nugent he spearheaded Ireland qualifying a record seven bikes for the London 2012 Paralympic, where the team won two gold, two bronze and one silver medal.

Chief executive of Paralympics Ireland, Liam Harbison, said he was delighted with Toomey’s appointment.

“Rio 2016 will present many new challenges with the ever increasing standards of paralympic sport and the number of nations competing,” he said.

“Coupled with cultural and climatic differences, the 2016 Games will be very difficult for the Irish Paralympic Team to achieve our target of a top 30 place on the medals table.

“Our focus is now on supporting the athletes, coaches and support staff across all sports secure qualification for the Games through 2015 and the early part of 2016.”