For the final instance, Eve McCrystal and Katie-George Dunlevy, standing together at the podium, synchronised a triumphant gesture through the humid indoor atmosphere of the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Vélodrome. They’ve spent a decade excelling in unity, and ending their sports career any differently would have been pointless.
Sunday marked their ultimate ride as a duo, during which they secured their sixth Paralympic Games medal – a silver in the B 3,000m individual pursuit, joining the two golds and previously won silver in Tokyo, and the gold and silver medals attained in Rio. Though each cyclist plans to remain competitive in the games, they won’t be sharing a bicycle again. Sunday’s event signified an end to a remarkable teamwork in Irish sports, and uncommonly for Ireland, it ended with triumph.
Qualifying for the golden-medal race due to one of the finest rides of their illustrious tenure, they primarily led against Britain’s Sophie Unwin and Jenny Holly in the final. Halfway in the race, Dunlevy and McCrystal were still leading. But, towards the end, the British duo produced an extraordinary finish, surpassing the Irish team by 2.166 seconds.
The record time for Dunlevy and McCrystal was 3:21.315, while Unwin and Holly ended with a 3:19.149 after a dramatic final. The conclusion of the match saw no disappointment amongst the Irish, rather there was a sense of appreciation they could make a finish in such form, racing till the end line.
After the contest was over, the Irish team took a victory lap around the velodrome and celebrated with their loved ones at the trackside.
A gold medal would have been admirable, but the colour of the medal seemed less significant. Achieving a podium itself was a grand achievement, particularly considering that Dunlevy had endured a collarbone fracture in May, and there was a quiet consensus within the bicycling community that their glory days may have been in the past.
Despite it all, they found themselves here once more, straining for ascendency; the only pathway they’ve understood. “We share a sibling-like bond. We experience both harmony and discord, yet we hold tremendous regard for one another,” expressed McCrystal, who, at the ripe age of 46, is embracing retirement as a Para pilot after this competition.
Their collective accomplishments will inevitably outlive their professional careers. Their unity culminated in something extraordinary, both inside and outside the stadium. “We’ve weathered severe hardships as a team,” Dunlevy augmented.
The trials we’ve faced are unique to us. We understand the emotional and mental struggles we’ve endured. “At times, we’ve pursued individual training, then reconvened, knowing well our rigorous preparation in private,” she continued. “Our bond is exceptional—it will remain forever. Our shared experiences are solely ours to cherish.”
In the concluding ceremony, they clasped hands once more, acknowledging the cheering audience. “We’ve been a team for a decade. It was a lengthy journey to the summit,” McCrystal chimed in. “Getting to the pinnacle is an uphill battle, but maintaining that position is even more challenging. It’s a self-imposed burden—we never felt external pressures. It’s a daily struggle not to disappoint each other, one that ultimately results in an honour,” she elaborated.
Their shared trust never wavered. Alluding to a physical injury, McCrystal reasserted, “I never doubted she’d bounce back from her clavicle injury, regardless.”
Smiling at Dunlevy, she gets a knowing grin in return. Dunlevy experienced a road race accident in Italy during May, resulting in her needing an operation. Dunlevy competed on Sunday with her left collarbone secured by a plate and four pins.
She slips her top off her shoulder to reveal her surgical scar.
She contemplated having the pins removed, but she wasn’t certain. Dunlevy was initially unsure whether she’d recover in time for Paris after the accident.
Yet, she decided to remain optimistic and mused, “It’s only my arm, not my hip or leg that’s broken. I can still use one arm to pedal. So, I carried on. It could’ve been much worse.”
The outcome couldn’t have been much better, all things considered.