WITH their bags packed and tickets in hand, Geoff and Elaine Ryan are ready to play their part in helping the Australian charge at the Paralympic Games in Beijing when it officially gets underway tomorrow night.
Geoff and Elaine are part of a group of 14 supports which will fly out of Sydney today ready to cheer on their daughter Toireasa Gallagher, and her partner Lindy Hou, in the road race, road time trial, the 1000 metre time trial and 3000 metre tandem pursuit on the pine of the velodrome.
The Perthville couple travelled to Sydney with Toireasa’s husband Mark yesterday and met with their other daughter Emily, and grandchild Keeley (eight-months-old), for the 12 hour flight to China.
Before heading off to support the cycling duo, the proud parents said it was going to be an amazing experience to see Toireasa and Lindy ride to a possible four gold medals.
“It’s pretty exciting to be going over. We just can’t wait to get there,” Mr Ryan said.
It’s not the first time, they have provided support for the Paralympic superstars, after flying all the way to Athens for the Games in 2004.
“When we went to Athens it was just wonderful and we also had a little bit of time to travel around,” Mrs Ryan said.
“This time Toireasa has the last two days at the end of the competition off so we are hoping to go to the Great Wall and a few other tourist destinations.”
Gallagher and vision-impaired tandem cycling partner Hou departed from Perth on Sunday looking for gold medal glory.
However, according to an email sent to her parents, Toireasa said the pair’s medal chances were somewhat uncertain.
“Toireasa said that a lot of the people there she has never ridden against and she has no idea what sort of times they will be doing,” Mr
Ryan said.