John Twomey has enjoyed
a distinguished Paralympic career and will make a phenomenal tenth Games appearance at London 2012.

John has been a competitor all of his life and has represented his country more than any other Olympian or Paralympian. A man who just likes competing, he never gives
up. John was a competitive cyclist until a T2-T3 injury in 1970 left him getting around on two wheels, those of a wheelchair and not a bicycle. When John recovered, he turned to track and field for competition and won the honor of being on the Irish Paralympic team in 1976.

His discus throw did not earn him a medal in Toronto, but he took home a Bronze and a Gold from the 1984 and 1988 Paralympic Games, respectively. He has competed in sailing at every Paralympics since Sydney 2000. At the London Games, John will be at the helm with team mates Anthony Hegarty and Ian Costelloe.

Biographies

Name: John Twomey (middle)
DOB: 07/07/1955
Home Location: Ballinhassig, Cork
Club: Kinsale Yacht Club
Paralympic Experience: 10th consecutive Paralympics

Name: Anthony Hegarty (left)
DOB: 22/01/1968
Home Location: Mallow, Co. Cork
Club: Kinsale Yacht Club
Paralympic Experience: First time campaigner
General Outline of Sailing Career to Date: Sailed every IFDS (International Federation of Disabled Sailing) World Championships since 2005
First Sailing Experience: IFDS World Championship 2005 
Greatest Achievements to Date: Qualifying for the Paralympics 2012
What Did You Want To Be When You Grew Up: A Fireman
Hobbies/Other Sports: Watching Munster Rugby. Computers 
Worst Sailing Moment: Not qualifying for the Paralympics 2008
Favourite Food: Steak
Your Life Long Ambition: To be happy
Your Life Motto: Don't worry
Three Words to Describe Yourself: Loyal, tenacious and conscientious
Where Would You Go In The World If You Could: New Zealand
Money no Object – What Would You Do: Pay the mortgage and buy my own boat

Name: Ian Costello (right)
DOB: 26/10/1988
Home Location: Killorglin, Co Kerry
Club: Kinsale Yacht Club
Paralympic Experience: First time campaigner
General Outline of Sailing Career to Date: Sailed in IFDS Worlds Holland 2010, Americas Regatta St Petersburg FL USA 2010, Sailing World Cup Miami OCR 2011, IFDS World’s Weymouth 2011 ( Qualified for Paralympics 2012 ), Punta Gorda FL USA, IFDS World’s 2012, 2012 ISAF Sailing World Cup; Miami USA, Hyeres France and Medemblik Netherlands and Weymouth UK
First Sailing Experience: Started sailing in august 2009, had my first competition in Weymouth in September 2009 
Greatest Achievements to Date: Qualifying for London 2012 Paralympics and finishing 5th overall in 2012 ISAF Sailing World Cup
What Did You Want To Be When You Grew Up: I wanted to be a panel beater / mechanic
Hobbies/Other Sports: Football, soccer, cycling, swimming
Worst Sailing Moment: Falling in just after leaving the dock in Medemblick, while taking off a stern line, it was comical
Favourite Food: Good old Irish bacon and cabbage
Your Life Long Ambition: To achieve things people think I can’t do
Your Life Motto: We are here for a good time not a long time
Three Words to Describe Yourself: Outgoing, Motivated and Creative
Where Would You Go In The World If You Could: I’d like to go a deserted island with my one true love that I haven’t found yet
Money no Object – What Would You Do: If I could I’d sail around the world in a luxury catamaran