Born 1977, Barney Store MBE is a British cyclist who rides as a sighted pilot for cyclists who are partially sighted, specifically in tandem track cycling events. In 2004, 2008 and 2012, Barney competed at the Paralympic Games, where he won three gold medals. Barney himself has had his fair share of challenges, having been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 4.
Whilst competing at the 2004 Summer Paralympic Games, he was the sighted pilot for Daniel Adam Gordon in two tandem track cycling events - in the sprint they came 4th, and in the 1km time trial they came 5th. Gaining respect in the sport, Barney won the British national title alongside Craig MacLea in the 200 metre tandem sprint, in 2005.
In the following year, 2006, he competed in the British National Tandem Sprint Championships in Newcastle Storey, where he defended his joint title with partner Anthony Kappes. As his partner, Anthony Kappes, was partially sighted, they became the first Paralympic team to hold the national title, which was able-bodied. At the 2006 World Disability Championships, Barney won gold in the sprint and time trial alike, both of which he successfully defended in the next year, 2007.
In 2008, at the Paralympic Games in Beijing, China, Barney competed as the guide for Kappes in the B&VI 1–3 classification. With a time of 1 minute 2.864 seconds in the 1km time trial, the pair set a new world record and won gold medals.
During the B&VI 1–3 sprint at the Games, Barney and Kappes won another gold medal, bringing their total to two. After defeating Argentina and Japan in the semi-finals, the pair defeated Australia 2-0 in the finals. In response to his dedicated contribution to sport, Barney was awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 2009 New Year Honours.
In 2009, at the UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships in Manchester, Barney broke the 1 km time trial world record for the B&VI 1 classification alongside his Paralympic partner, Neil Fachie. The record had previously been set by Barney and Kappes, in their previous race. As a speaker, Barney regularly recounts his journey to record-breaking success. Having performed to audiences across the country, this Olympian is a highly sought after addition to conferences, private functions, Q&A events and workshops.
