Evan
O'Hanlon

With five sisters, Evan O’Hanlon jokes that he had to learn to be fast on his feet to be able to maximise his own space, eat enough food and have enough time in the bathroom. Involved in athletics at a school level, Evan was encouraged by a PE teacher to explore the possibility of competing as an athlete with a disability. He was linked to a coach through the Paralympics Australia Talent Search Program and has never looked back.

Evan exploded onto the world athletics stage in 2005, immediately creating a name for himself as the next big thing in Paralympic sprinting. On his first ever international tour, he won gold in the 100m and 200m at the 2005 German Nationals and European Championships.

Then at his first Paralympic Games in Beijing, Evan again won the 100m and 200m, smashing both world records. He became the first athlete with cerebral palsy to shatter 11 seconds over 100m, setting the new world mark at 10.96; he broke the world record in the 200m, crossing the line in 21.98; and also won gold in the 4x100m relay in world record time (41.81) with teammates Tim Sullivan, Chris Mullins and Darren Thrupp.

At the 2011 IPC Athletics World Championships, Evan again won gold in the 100m and 200m, and keen to push himself, also tried his hand at the 400m, where he finished second and the long jump, where he finished fourth.

Evan’s outstanding form continued at the London Paralympic Games, where he broke and equalled his 100m and 200m world records on his way to winning gold in both events. His incredible performances ensured that he kept his undefeated streak at the Paralympic Games intact.

Fittingly, he was chosen to carry the flag at the London 2012 Closing Ceremony in recognition of his achievements and was also named Male Athlete of the Year at the 2012 Paralympian of the Year Awards.

Since the London Games, Evan has continued to turn heads. In 2014, he became the fastest Australian Paralympian ever across all classes, by running 100m in 10.79. He also qualified for the able-bodied 100m national championships by winning the 100m crown at the ACT titles.

Coached by Ukranian born Iryna Dvoskina for 10 years, Evan says she is the most influential person in his life and owes the gold medals he has won to her. He trains with her six days a week, adheres to her careful diets and attention to detail, and with his outstanding results over the last decade, he knows he can put all his trust on her. To her credit, he can now also speak minimal Russian and Ukranian.

Turning his attention to Rio 2016, Evan has a new goal – to break his world record and put it so low that no one can ever break it. With confidence in Iryna, he knows Rio is the place he will do this.

Evan turns to Australian Paralympic great Heath Francis for inspiration. Having trained in the same squad as Heath for many years, he admires his dedication to training and will forever call him his favourite sports star.

Originally from Hunters Hill in Sydney, Evan is now based in Canberra and trains at the AIS. He has recently completed his landscape architecture degree and has opened a cafe called Superfine in Canberra, with his wife, Czech Republic racewalker Zuzana Schindlerova.