Aaron Barclay

Aaron Barclay (born 21 October 1992) is a triathlete who represents New Zealand internationally. He competed at the 2010 Summer Youth Olympics in Singapore and won the first-ever gold medal awarded for the boys' event. Barclay also subsequently won a silver medal in the mixed relay event, competing for a team representing Oceania.[5][6] The Games were the first time Barclay had competed outside of Oceania.[7]

Aaron "Big Balls" Barclay
Personal information
Born (1992-10-21) 21 October 1992
ResidenceRiversdale, New Zealand[1]
Gore, New Zealand[2][3]
Height178 cm (5 ft 10 in)[4]
Weight62 kg (137 lb)[4]
Sport
CountryNew Zealand
Medal record
Men's triathlon
Youth Olympic Games
Representing  New Zealand
2010 Singapore Individual
Representing a
Mixed-NOCs team
2010 Singapore Mixed relay

Biography and sporting record

Barclay's parents are Craig and Christine Barclay.[8] He attended Gore High School.[8] Barclay had been portrayed as being "visually impaired"[2] and "disabled"[9] as he chooses to race without contact lenses, something his coach said the triathlete was able to overcome without problem.[10] However, this was later revealed as being only semi-true. Barclay requires glasses outside of competition, and had jokingly claimed to be half-blind without them on a questionnaire athletes were made to fill out for Infostrada Sports before the Games, which was picked up on and transmitted as being fact.[9]

At his first international triathlon meet in Gold Coast, Australia in 2009, Barclay finished only 31st,[2][9] but he improved to finish second in the Oceania Youth Olympic qualifiers[7] before winning individual gold at the Youth Olympics. He won a further silver medal in the mixed relay event, teaming up with New Zealand teammate Maddie Dillon and two Australian triathletes to represent Oceania.[5][11]

Barclay will take part at the 2010 International Triathlon Union Junior World Championships, before making a decision whether or not to turn professional.[10] He considers Hamish Carter, gold medallist at the 2004 Summer Olympics event, one of his heroes. Barclay now currently is coaching the Macleans College Cycling and Triathlon team.[2]

References
  1. Logan Savory (2010-08-24). "Barclay creates GHS buzz". The Southland Times. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  2. "New Zealander Barclay stuns triathlon world". Youth Olympic News Service. 2010-08-16. Archived from the original on 20 August 2010. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  3. John Whiting (2010-08-16). "Triathlete Barclay basking in golden glow". Television New Zealand. Archived from the original on 20 August 2010. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  4. International Triathlon Union. "Aaron Barclay". Retrieved 3 October 2010.
  5. Triathlon New Zealand (2010-08-19). "Aaron Barclay and Maddie Dillon secure silver in Singapore". Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  6. Sydney Morning Herald (2010-08-19). "Australia, NZ merge for Youth Oly medal". The Sydney Morning Herald. Australian Associated Press. Archived from the original on 24 August 2010. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  7. Sim, Royston (2010-08-16). "Aaron of NZ wins triathlon". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 25 August 2010. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  8. Egan, Brendon (17 August 2010). "Southland triathlete wins at Youth Games". The Southland Times. Retrieved 26 September 2014.
  9. Mark Hawthorne (2010-08-24). "'Visually impaired' triathlete sees funny side of 'brave' win". The Age. Melbourne. Archived from the original on 26 August 2010. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  10. Nathan Burdon (2008-08-18). "Gold forged in Southland". The Southland Times. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  11. Nathan Burdon (2008-08-20). "Southland triathlete collects another Youth Games medal". The Southland Times. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
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