Oskars Gailiss

Started: He began cycling at age 10 and went on to compete in non-Para cycling events. In 2007, three years after sustaining his impairment, he began training in mountain biking. He later switched to Para cycling and started competing in 2012. (Facebook profile, 12 Aug 2023; diena.lv, 23 Jan 2020) Reason: He was encouraged to compete in Para cycling by coach Normunds Noreiko. "Since I've been quite active all my life, even when I wasn't riding my bike, I wanted to do something after I started walking with crutches but I couldn't figure out what. I was barbecuing with friends, and one of them pulled out an old bike and gave it to me to try. I tried and it just happened." (diena.lv, 23 Jan 2020; sporto.lv, 31 Aug 2014) Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (Facebook profile, 29 Mar 2023) Awards: In 2016 and 2017 he was named Para Athlete of the Year in Tukums, Latvia. (Latvijas Paralimpiska Komiteja Facebook page, 18 Feb 2018; ntz.lv, 17 Feb 2017) Additional Info: COACHING He has worked as a coach at Riga Cycling School in Latvia. (veloskola.lv, 05 May 2022; sporto.lv, 31 Aug 2014)