Michael O'Hearn (athlete)

Michael O'Hearn
Personal information
Born (2001-06-20) June 20, 2001
Home townSpring Lake, New Jersey, U.S.
EducationWestminster University
Sport
Country United States
SportPara-alpine skiing
DisabilityArthrogryposis multiplex congenita
LW9-1

Michael O'Hearn (born June 20, 2001) is an American para-alpine skier who competes in the LW9-1 standing classification. He represented the United States at the 2026 Winter Paralympics in para-alpine skiing.

Early and personal life

Michael O'Hearn grew up in Spring Lake, New Jersey.[1][2] He was born with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita,[3] a rare congenital condition that causes joint contractures and limits the range of motion.[2][4] Prior to his birth, doctors informed his parents that he might not survive and later suggested that he would never walk.[3] He began skiing at the age of three at the Adaptive Sports Foundation in Windham, New York.[2][5] He attended St. Rose High School in Belmar, New Jersey.[6] He graduated from Westminster University in Salt Lake City.[2]

O'Hearn identifies as gay and has spoken publicly about the challenges he faced and the importance of LGBTQ representation in sport.[3][5]

Career

O'Hearn competes in the LW9-1 standing classification in para-alpine skiing, which covers standing athletes with impairments affecting at least one arm and at least one leg, including those resulting from reduced joint mobility. He trains at the National Ability Center in Park City, Utah.[1][2] He made his international debut for the United States at an International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) event in February 2016. He won a bronze in the slalom event in the competition. He registered sixth place finishes in both slalom and giant slalom events in the National Open Championships in March 2016.[7]

In a career spanning over a decade, O'Hearn took part in several FIS events across Canada and United States.[7] He won the gold medal in the LW9 standing classification at the 2025 Huntsman Cup held in Park City.[2] In January 2026, he achieved a third-place finish in the giant slalom event at a FIS Para alpine race at Winter Park, Colorado.[2][7] Based on these performances, he was named to the United States team for the para-alpine skiing competition at the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Milan–Cortina.[2][8]

In February 2026, a few weeks before the 2026 Winter Paralympics, O'Hearn suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury.[3] However, he still competed in the giant slalom event.[2][5][9] In the giant slalom standing event held on 12 March 2026, O'Hearn completed his first run on a minute and 29.88 seconds. He improved in his second run to 1:28.90. He finished with an overall time of 2:58.78, more than 51 seconds behind the gold medalist Arthur Bauchet, and was ranked 28th out of the 41 competitors.[10]

References

  1. 1 2 "Michael O'Hearn". International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS). Retrieved June 1, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Hailey Griffin". United States Olympic Committee. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Torn ACL? No problem for gay U.S. Paralympic skier who has long defied the odds". Outsports. March 9, 2026. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
  4. ↑ Fassier A, Wicart P, Dubousset J, Seringe R (October 2009). "Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita. Long-term follow-up from birth until skeletal maturity". Journal of Children's Orthopaedics. 3 (5): 383–90. doi:10.1007/s11832-009-0187-4. PMC 2758174. PMID 19669823.
  5. 1 2 3 "The LGBTQ+ athletes to cheer for at the 2026 Winter Paralympics". PinkNews. March 6, 2026. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
  6. ↑ Carvalho, Alexandra. "Spring Lake native represents Team USA", The Coast Star, March 19, 2026. Accessed July 10, 2026. "A third-generation Spring Lake resident, O’Hearn attended H.W. Mountz School and graduated from St. Rose High School."
  7. 1 2 3 "Results, Michael O'Hearn". International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS). Retrieved June 24, 2026.
  8. ↑ "A dozen National Ability Center athletes named to Paralympic rosters". KPCW. February 26, 2026. Archived from the original on February 27, 2026. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Michael O'Hearn". International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Results, Men's giant slalom, 2026 Winter Paralympics". International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS). Retrieved June 1, 2026.
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