RIO GOLD MEDAL DREAM KEPT EVE ON RIGHT TRACK

LOUTH CYCLIST EVE AND HER TANDEM PARTNER KATIE WIN GOLD IN RIO

THE dazzling tandem duo of Louth’s Eve McCrystal and her cycling partner Katie George Dunlevy saw their medal dreams come true, when they ‘ left everything we had on the track’ to win gold in Rio last week.

Eve, from Jenkinstown, is a pilot for the visually impaired athlete Katie George, and both were hailed as heroes after battling their way through against the best of the best to snatch gold in the velodrome on Wednesday last.

The talented pair left their rivals toiling in their wake as they triumphed in cycling’s B tandem time trial.

‘It was just incredible, we left everything we had on the track to win that race. But we are just overjoyed,’ said Eve as they basked in the glory of their golden performance.

Photographs taken immediately after the race had shown the pure exhaustion and emotional pressure of competing at paralympic level.

‘We were up against the best, there’s no doubt. It took everything we had, that’s what a time trial does.’

She added that a disappointing start to their Rio campaign meant that all eyes were on them as the race began.

‘ There was pressure on us for this because we didn’t medal in the pursuit, so to come out with a gold, we can’t believe it, we’re just ecstatic.’

Commentators noted that Dunlevy recorded a number of fifth place finishes at London 2012, but has found significant improvement since teaming up with McCrystal. Speaking about their success, Katie- George added ‘It’s hard to describe. Like Eve said, it’s been a long road to get here and we’ve both worked really hard.’

Both highlighted just how much the support from home had meant to them.

‘We really can’t believe how manymessages we’ve received, texts, emails, comments on social media,’ said Eve.

‘It is overwhelming, but we really want to let everyone at home know how much their support has meant to us.’

Eve’s biggest supporters were her young daughters Nessa and Ava, who have been cheering their mum on all the way.

‘Being out here, I’ve missed them so much. But I’m so glad to have made them proud. Their dad told me they went skipping into school the day after we won. It means so much to hear that.’

She also paid tribute to her mum Franc- es and Pat for the ‘incredible amount of support they’ve given me.’

Eve and Katie’s victory came on a golden night for the Irish team, especially in the cycling event, with Galway cyclist Eoghan Clifford securing his second medal at the Rio Paralympics, also gold.

The trio celebrated track side afterwards (pictured above) with celebratory hugs!