PINNEY Ryan

United States of America

Cycling Road

Date of Birth: 10 Nov 1980

Age: 40

Gender: Male

Sport Class: H3

Place of birth: PHOENIX, AZ

Birth Country:

United States of America

Place of residence : CAVE CREEK, AZ

Residence Country:

United States of America

Events and Medals
Records
Schedule
Bio
General Interest
Milestones

Events and Medals

Discipline	Event	Rank
Cycling Road	Men's H3 Road Race	4
	Men's H3 Time Trial	6
	Mixed H1-5 Team Relay USA United States	3

Schedule

Change

Location	Event	Status
Fuji International Speedway	Men's H3 Time Trial	Finished
Fuji International Speedway	Men's H3 Road Race	Finished
Fuji International Speedway	Mixed H1-5 Team Relay	Finished

Biographical Information

Highlights

Athlete:

Rank	Event	Year	Location
Road World Championships
7	H3 Road Race	2019	Emmen, NED
16	H3 Time Trial	2019	Emmen, NED

Hobbies:

Supporting US basketball team the Phoenix Suns. (Instagram profile, 03 Jul 2021)

Education:

Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, AZ, USA

Family:

Wife Meagan Pinney, daughter Addison

Languages spoken:

English

Club name:

Team PossAbilites [United States]

Start:

He took up the sport in Phoenix, AZ, United States of America, almost a year after his 2012 accident. (arizonadailypress.com, 23 Jul 2021; sports360az.com, 27 Jun 2021)

Reason:

He had always enjoyed biking and, after his accident, the Free Will Foundation gifted him a handcycle. "What I found in handcycling early on was that it was freeing to me. It got me out of my chair and away from the house. It helped me see the Phoenix I grew up in and love again." (sports360az.com, 27 Jun 2021)

Ambition:

To win gold at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. (sports360az.com, 27 Jun 2021)

Memorable:

Being selected to represent the United States of America at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. (Instagram profile, 21 Jun 2021)

Influence:

His family and friends. (teamusa.org, 01 Jan 2020)

Ritual:

He often talks to his bike just before the start of a race. (teamusa.org, 27 May 2021)

Philosophy:

"I know I don't need to win medals for my family to be proud of me. I have the freedom to chase that goal, with all of that support around me. And that's what drives me. I feel their love." (teamusa.org, 27 May 2021)

General Interest

Classification
H3 (uci.org, 26 May 2021)

Type of Impairment
Spinal Cord Injuries (teamusa.org, 27 May 2021)

Origin of Impairment
Acquired (teamusa.org, 27 May 2021)

Impairment Details
He broke his back while riding a BMX in 2012, leaving him paralysed from the waist down. (arizonadailypress.com, 23 Jul 2021; teamusa.org, 27 May 2021)

General
ARMED FORCES
He served as an in flight refueler in the United States of America Air Force and the Arizona National Guard for 14 years. "You put the responsibility for two million USD airplanes in the hands of a 19-year-old kid, it matures very quickly. It also took me to where I am today because I wanted to be the best on-board tanker ever. If I told someone I was the best, it wasn't because I was arrogant. I wanted them to have confidence that they could rely on me to do the job in any situation. I want to be the best because I want to be on Team USA and represent the best in the world." (arizonadailypress.com, 23 Jul 2021; teamusa.org, 01 Jan 2020)

TEAMMATE
He refers to his bike as his teammate, and often talks to it. He has also decorated it with personal touches, including the Phoenix logo, flags, his daughter's initials, and his late father's nickname. "The bike is my teammate out there. If I can take care of the bike, the bike's going take care of me. I'm going be able to trust that it's going hold together and when I need to put the power down it'll respond the way I need." (sports360az.com, 27 Jun 2021)

SANCTION
In 2016 he accepted an 18-month ban after testing positive for an anabolic steroid after a race. He says the substance was in his system to help him try to start a family with his wife. "I took responsibility and had two choices. I could hide for a year and just disappear, or I could make sure people knew I never intentionally tried to cheat. I just didn't know that was going to be an issue because I was so new to all of this. I called up a lot of people [coaches, competitors] and let them know about the situation and how sorry I was." (teamusa.org, 27 May 2021)

Social Media

Legend

:: Bronze Medal
:: Gold Medal Event
:: Silver Medal Event
:: Bronze Medal Event

Timing and scoring provided by OMEGA. Results powered by Atos