Sonny Cullen competed in the men’s road race at the 1960 Rome Olympic Games alongside teammates Peter Crinnion and Seamus Herron, cycling to Dublin Airport on his racing machine to catch the early morning flight – attracting the attention of a Whitehall Garda who wondered why two young men with rucksacks were cycling in semi-darkness. After the cyclists explained they were on their way to the Olympic Games they were allowed to continue.

It was Ireland’s first Olympic cycling appearance since 1928, made possible by an agreement between the CRE and the NICF to select teams for international competition. The 175km road race was started in extreme heat (100 degrees Fahrenheit). Cullen retired after four laps due to illness.