Even the king’s coronation didn’t stop two local people working out – keeping fit is their aim and regaining confidence is ever present.
Despite managing life-threatening illnesses, Cathy McCourt and Richie Sheerin have remarkable stories to tell.
There was an Englishman, a Welshman and an Irishman from Derry, and they are all heroes – gold medal winners at the 2023 World Transplant Games in Perth, Australia.
“Five years ago, on what began as an ordinary spring morning, I – an otherwise fit man – ended up in hospital having blood tests. Eventually I was told my condition was myeloma, a bone cancer”.
Richie explained: “I ran marathons and loved cycling but I was advised to stay off the bike and give up road riding in case I fell and got severe fractures. However, my consultant didn’t say anything about cycling indoors.”
And so Richie took to virtual reality – but it wasn’t easy.
“I had a tandem bone marrow transplant. First, my own stem cells were used for an autologous transplant in 2019; that was followed by an allogenic transplant, in August 2020, using my brother Damian’s stem cells.
“Both included chemotherapy to kill off my existing bone marrow before transplantation.”
As he says, a balancing act between relapses and positive times. However, despite doctors’ advice, he is convinced that cycling has been his mainstay.
Using special software, he connected his bike to a laptop and followed a programme on the screen, racing virtually around the world, pitting his strength against top riders, and all from his own home as conditions were safer and he could stop when his body needed to rest.
He calls this his mental medicine, a separate challenge in life, one which has paid off.
Thankfully, today he is in his longest remission yet, and long may it last.
Despite the 21-hour flight to Australia, coping with jet lag, and new surroundings, Richie has come home with a bronze medal in the time trials; a bronze in the road race; and an impressive gold in the team time trial, which the trio of himself, Nick Topley from Wales, and Sean Rintoul from Liverpool, completed in under two minutes. It’s not isn’t quite a record, but not far off.
Why does Richie put his body through such punishment?
“I want people to know that there’s life after a cancer diagnosis and transplant; the importance of organ donation; and to pay tribute to both Belfast’s City Hospital, and Altnagelvin Hospital – and all the staff who got me through it.
“It’s true that cycling doesn’t get any easier but it does get faster. Now that the better weather is coming, I’m out on the road again training for the British Transplant Games in Coventry at the end of July.”
Then comes the World games in Dresden, Germany in 2025 – so there’s plenty to look forward to.
The World At Her Feet
It’s always inspiring to hear about local people who excel in their chosen pastime. Running coach, Cathy McCourt, is no exception.
Last month she took part in the World Half-Marathon Masters Championship in Torun, Poland. She won a silver medal in the F50 10k road race, but better still, she won the World Half Marathon race and came home with a well-deserved gold medal.
This exceptional athlete overcame serious illness when she was struck down 12 months ago with a brain injury which threatened to end her running career. Although she spent most of the year in hospital, she worked hard rehabilitating herself back to health.
It’s no surprise she has the determination to succeed, she comes from an extremely competitive household. When she won a silver in the same race last year, although her dad was delighted, he commented, ‘what happened to you’?
Being the legendary Irish boxer Jim McCourt, who was an Olympic medalist in Tokyo in 1964, and ranked as the number one boxer in the world for five consecutive years, he wanted only the best – and this year, despite the odds, his daughter delivered.
“He was delighted and very proud.”
Cathy was told by medics that only 20 per cent of people make a full recovery from a brain injury such as hers, which started with an excruciating pain in her head, slurring her words and sickness; but thankfully medication and help from her coach Sarah Haveron eventually brought her back to health.
“Last year was a complete disaster. I was in and out of hospital eight times, then collapsing and banging my head and tearing ligaments, but eventually I was given the all clear last November.
“Then serious training started, building up strength in the gym in order to qualify for the championship.
“I really felt like giving up lots of times but I’m like my dad, I want to keep going and keep achieving.
“I believe in working hard; believe in yourself – because dreams do come true.”
Cathy, who has competed at an international level since she was school age, runs her own personal training and weight loss clinic in Lisburn. She’s determined to keep up her training regime, but just like Richie, she has her eye on the next golden challenge.
Achieving at a sporting level is one thing, but their personal fight against the odds – and winning – is quite another.
A powerful lesson, learned from two remarkable athletes.
