Double Gold medal winning paralympian cyclist visits Foley’s

Simon Richardson MBE is a double gold medallist Paralympic cyclist and double world record holder. He won gold medals at the 2008 Beijing paralympics in the 1km time trial, breaking the world record in his class, and the 3km individual pursuit. He also won a silver medal in the road time trial. Mr Richarson became disabled after being involved in a car accident in 2001, which left him with serious leg and back injuries and no feeling down his left hand side. His 2008 Beijing Paralympic triumph followed but then in 2011, while training on the public highway, Mr Richardson was again critically injured for a second time in his life by a hit and run driver. The accident left him with very severe injuries. He is currently in recovery from surgery to his back and is in training to compete in the Race across America. Simon Richardson MBE is a double gold medallist Paralympic cyclist and double world record holder. He won gold medals at the 2008 Beijing paralympics in the 1km time trial, breaking the world record in his class, and the 3km individual pursuit. He also won a silver medal in the road time trial. We had the great honour of meeting Mr Richardson here at Foley’s, when he came to talk to Form 3 – U6 . He spoke of his life story and we were all inspired by his achievements, his perseverence and his sheer determination in the face of adversity.The pupils had the chance to hold Gold Paralympic medals and the Olympic torch which Mr Richardson carried to light the Olympic Flame in Cardiff in 2012. They also had the opportunity to see the high-tech bikes he used in the olympics, as well as the tricycle he is now using in training.