Shape I’m In: Emma O’Reilly

Emma O’Reilly’s book, The Race To Truth – Blowing The Whistle On Lance Armstrong And Cycling’s Doping Culture, has been short-listed for Sports Book of the Year in the Irish Book Awards.

Born in Tallaght, the former soigneur or personal assistant gained worldwide renown for being one of the earliest whistleblowers to expose cycling’s doping culture. The book tells the story of O’Reilly’s part in the rise and fall of Armstrong. Writing it – and seeing it so well received – means a lot, says the 44-year-old.

“It means more than I originally thought it would. It has been cathartic. It’s a reason to move on and has helped me close that chapter in my life – helped me finish the journey.”