Daniel McConnell (cycling) became the first Australian mountain biker to compete at three Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. McConnell won bronze on his Games debut in 2014 – the only Australian male to win a medal in the discipline – and placed 7th in both 2018 and 2022.

In Tokyo in 2021, the Canberra rider became the first Australian rider to participate in four Olympic Games where he was unable to recover from mechanical problems and he finished 30th. He made his Olympic debut in Beijing in 2008 where he was 39th, finished 21st at London 2012 and 16th in Rio in 2016.

Daniel grew up in Bruthen in country Victoria and first competed aged five in a race organised by the local bike shop owner. McConnell’s first appearance on an Australian team was in 2002 and he won numerous national and Oceania titles but his World Cup win in Germany in 2013 was his biggest success. He is also a talented road cyclist and rode the Tour Down Under in 2006 and 2015.

His mother Jenny Orr competed in the 800m and 1500m at the Munich Olympic Games in 1972 and in the 1500m at the Commonwealth Games in Christchurch two years later.