Commonwealth Games Cyclist killed in Road Accident

Tributes have been paid to one of Northern Ireland's best known competitive cyclists who was killed in a traffic accident on Tuesday 12th August 2008.

David McCall represented Northern Ireland at three Commonwealth Games; 1986 in Edinburgh, Scotland; 1990 in Auckland, New Zealand; and at the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Games in Malaysia.  His best performance was as part of the Men's Team Time Trial that finish 6th at the Auckland Games.

David died after is bike was in collision with a car on the Belfast Road at Nutt's Corner whilst taking part in a locally organised cycle race.  David (46) had a long list of cycling honours in Ireland and Europe.  He had recently qualified as a Commissar, refereeing at races and jointly ran Sportactive, a company organising cycling and walking trips to Majorica and the French Alps.

He was married with two daughters.

Chairman of the Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games Council, Robert McVeigh said: "We are saddened by the tragic death of David in a road accident.  A former Commonwealth Games competitor, he was a rallying figure for the team and to the wider cycling fraternity.  The funeral service at Seymour Street Methodist Church in Lisburn drew a huge crowd reflecting the esteem in which David had in Northern Ireland and further afield.  On behalf of the Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games Council I wish to convey our condolences to his family."