You don’t tell a man like Patrick O’Leary that he can’t. It’s not a word that exists in his life.
The Cork native has been railing against the odds his entire life and, in the space of five years, he’s managed to go from losing a leg to representing his country.
My legs have been called up to the PAralympics. Time to kit them out #morethansport #canoesprint #roadtorio pic.twitter.com/8X8hINTOKj
— Patrick O'Leary PLY (@eentjebeen) August 24, 2016
In the space of four years since he got back into a boat, the 43-year-old has gone from relearning everything he once knew to Rio 2016.
Halfway through O’Leary’s Leaving Cert year, he was diagnosed with cancer in a left leg bone. He had it removed and replaced with metal but, eventually, it began to flare up with infections and, in 2011, the decision was made to amputate the leg from just above the knee.
It hasn’t stopped him. Nothing does.
Now, the Galway-based athlete is in Brazil and he’s ready to enter the first para-canoeing event of the Paralympic Games. In doing so, he becomes a pioneer of Irish athletes to be the first from these shores to compete in para-canoeing in the Paralympics.
Coached by former international, Neil Fleming, Pat O’Leary already has a World Cup medal on his shelf after he clinched glory in the B final in Germany back in May.
He’s ready for the big time. He’s been fighting his whole life for this stage. He’s earned it.
From cold Saturday mornings in Connemara to the South American coast for the Paralympic Games. Ireland’s history-making Paralympian comes from Cork but his drive comes from something deep inside.
As the official energy partner to Paralympics Ireland, Flogas are delighted to work alongside brand ambassadors Michael McKillop, Katie-George Dunlevy, Eve McCrystal, Patrick O’Leary and Niamh McCarthy.
Flogas are backing our heroes with positive energy and encourage fans to send messages using the hashtag #PositiveEnergy
