Michael McKillop (Running)

‘All I ever wanted to do was run and I’ve lived out a dream’

Now Michael McKillop is giving back to sport by encouraging more young people to get involved

Coming from a sporty family all Michael McKillop ever wanted to do was run. It was his dream to follow in the running footsteps of his mum, dad and sister.

“My dad and sister competed in running for Northern Ireland and my mum was a past All Ireland champion.”

Achieving his dream however was not without big challenges. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy just before he was three (as a result of having a stroke inside his mother’s womb) he recalls being told that the medics at that time didn’t expect too much from him, “Cerebral palsy impacts the right side of my body. Doctors really weren’t sure how my life would progress forward.”

Michael however had different ideas and going through primary school, sport was his safe haven. Somewhere he could outperform his able-bodied classmates.

“Disability is only a difference. Yes, I am different – but aren’t we all different from one another.  When I was 10, I raced in the Ulster Primary Schools Cross Country Championships competing against the best in my age group. I won that race.”

Something that he is very proud of, is representing Ireland in the IAAF European Cross Country Championships, “It broke down the perception that disabled athletes can’t compete against able-bodied athletes.”

In 2004 yet another challenge emerged. Whilst on a family holiday in Wales he fell out of bed one night due to having a fit and an ambulance was called. Following a brain scan he was diagnosed with epilepsy – ‘Night Epilepsy’ to be precise. “It only happens when I sleep, but I cannot affect when it happens, so it’s something I just have to be prepared for.”

Whilst Michael did play other sports at school including soccer, Gaelic football, hurling and handball (at Ulster level for the latter) running was his passion. Michael’s dad Paddy McKillop taught PE at St Malachy’s College, Belfast and founded St Malachys AC. Naturally Michael progressed to the college post primary school.

“My dad founded the athletics club to create opportunities for us runners to compete against other club team members throughout Ireland and really improve in our sport.

“I formed great friendships through school and St Malachy’s AC. It’s like having a lovely big family and a super network of people around you. It encourages positive values in life such as friendship and respect. Some of my best lifelong friends are from the club.”

A middle-distance competitor Michael has competed in both the 800m and 1500m within the T37 class in disability sport. On his retirement Paralympics Ireland described him as ‘one of the greatest Paralympians of all time,’ winning 4 para Olympic Gold medals at Beijing, London, Rio and Tokyo, as well as 9 World titles.

He made his major sporting debut in 2005 at the European Championships and at his first Worlds in 2006 he claimed a gold in the 800m – the first in a glittering career.

Michael has represented Ireland over a 16-year period at all major levels – European, World and Paralympic Games.

Michael says his most memorable moment was winning the 1500m gold at the London 2012 Paralympics. “My mum presented me with my gold medal, and she was the first mum or dad to do this in Paralympic or Olympic history. In fact, no family member has presented a gold medal since.

The Princess Royal though has presented her daughter Zara with an equestrian silver medal at the London Olympics – and I’m sure that was just as special for Zara.”

Michael believes he’s been lucky enough to have a very long Paralympian career extending from July 2005 until November 2021:

“It’s been an amazing journey and I’ve lived out a dream. It’s been a real privilege. When I decided to retire it was a big decision. But my body just didn’t function the way it used to, and it was the right decision.”

Michael is now focusing on giving back to sport by encouraging as many young people as possible get involved in disability sport.

“I’m keen to raise awareness and push for more opportunities in disability sport. I mentor athletes who compete under the Paralympic Ireland banner – and it’s not just runners or field athletes. I’m currently supporting a young talented rower. It’s all about the next generation and I believe I can help by being a soundboard and providing help and advice. A Paralympics is very different to even a World Championship. It’s a different atmosphere, much more pressurised with more spectators. Expectations of athletes is very high.”

His role with the Mary Peters Trust is also about giving back and supporting future talent.  Early in 2024 Michael was appointed to the Board of the Mary Peters Trust.

“As a Trustee I want to help Mary’s Trust progress into the future. It’s such a well-respected established Trust so it’s important to keep that legacy going.

“I first met Mary when I was 10 and she presented me with medals at a running event – that was in 2000. After the Beijing Olympics (2008) I got to know Mary even better. Way back I received funding from the Mary Peters Trust and it’s not just the financial support, it’s about being associated with the Trust. Having the backing of Mary gave me such confidence.

“As I got older, I valued being able to talk to Mary and seek her advice. I really appreciated the fact that she respected me, just as I respect her.

“I hope I can bring a lot to the Board, and I want to live up to Mary’s expectations. What she has done to date is incredible and she’ll achieve even more over the next number of years.

“I see the Trust as offering an open space for sports people at a high level. I want to help keep the money coming in so that we can support many more athletes to live out their sporting dreams just as I have.

“It’s so expensive nowadays – even more so than in my time. The cost of living has risen substantially, and athletes need to do so much more, for example warm weather training, which is a huge expense.”

Michael also works part-time for the Youth Sport Trust throughout the UK and Ireland. He delivers workshops and programmes, visits schools and colleges and is a motivational speaker.

“One aspect I focus upon is how to manage stress and encouraging young people to be more open. I really enjoy making a difference and helping the next generation.”

For his services to sport and to disability sport in particular Michael was awarded a Hon Doctorate from Queen’s University Belfast and an MBE.

Michael’s life has changed on a personal level. He is married to Nicole whom he met in 2014 and they have a young son called Donncha.

“Family is a massive part of my life. It’s lovely to have another support network outside my own family (mum, dad and my sisters). Nicole really backs me up and makes me believe in myself when times are tough.

“Being a dad has certainly changed me. As an athlete you are by necessity selfish to achieve your goals. You need to be, to optimise your performance levels. Now my values have changed. It’s about guiding Donncha into the future and supporting him in whatever he wants to do. I want to encourage him to be the best human being he can be.”