Martin Gordon, who has represented Ireland at two Paralympic Games, has called time on his international racing career, saying it had been a privilege to emulate his sporting heroes in wearing the green jersey.
Gordon made his Paracycling World Championships debut in 2017 and then went on to place 5th in the 1km TT at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021. He was also 5th in the sprint at the 2023 Worlds followed by 6th in the 1km TT at the Worlds this year and 5th in the same event at the Paris Paralympics.
Gordon lost his sight overnight aged 17 years during a trip to London. It was an unexpected complication related to glaucoma and he was forced to adapt very quickly. He has since gone on to both ride for Ireland and qualify as a barrister, working for the Garda.
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He said this year was the highlight of his career and he felt ending his career now, after the Paris Games, was a great way to finish off his racing days, during which Eamon Byrne and Eoin Mullen were his tandem pilots.
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“Growing up I looked up to people like Roy Keane and Keith Wood and just like so many others I too imagined what it must be like to wear the green of Ireland," he said. "For the past number of years, I have had the joy of knowing what that feels like and I get to carry that for the rest of my life.
"Paris was without doubt the highlight of my cycling career and what better place and time to bring that career to a close. It has been such an honour and privilege to have been part of Team Ireland at two Paralympic Games.
"I would like to thank all those who have been part of what has been an incredible part of my life. As this great chapter of my life finishes, I look forward to hopefully the next great thing finding me.
"I would like to pay special tribute to my partner Louise and our daughter Nora for their support and encouragement not to mention their patience, my parents Ronald and Margaret for supporting and motivating me throughout my life and my strength and conditioning coach, Noel Murphy who made me the very best athlete I could be.
"I wish all those athletes and their coaches who remain part of Team Ireland every success and to the up and coming athletes, I hope your dream comes true in LA and Brisbane.”
