Name: Liam Killeen
D.O.B.: 12/04/1982
Hometown: Malvern, Worcestershire
Disciplines: XC Mountain Bike
Major Results:
2006
Commonwealth Games, Melbourne
Gold, XC MTB
2004
World Mountain Bike Championships, Les Gets
Silver, U23 XC MTB
2002
Commonwealth Games, Manchester
Bronze, XC MTB
About Liam:
Liam ‘Killer’ Killeen used to race Motorcross before until taking up mountain bike racing aged 12. A multiple Junior and U23 national champion, his talent has never been in doubt and his first major medal came at the 2002 Commonwealth Games where he won Bronze in the Cross-Country Mountain Bike race. A silver in the Under-23 World Championship in 2004 was followed by a near miss 6th at that year’s Olympic Games.
A first global title came his way in 2006 when he won Commonwealth Games Gold.
After a 2007 season ruined by illness, he came back strongly in 2008, picking up fourth at the senior World Championships. However, his Beijing Olympic hopes were over almost before the race had started after just 150 metres in, he collided with a course marker, falling heavily and picking up a badly grazed knee. Liam got back on the bike in last place, but worked his way through the pack to finish seventh overall. His ride showed real grit and steely determination.
GB Team images on Flickr