John McQuaid competed at the Seoul 1988 Olympic Games in cycling, contesting both the individual road race and the 100km team time trial.

McQuaid won the Irish National Road Race Championships in 1983 and 1985 and represented Ireland internationally during the 1980s in international competitions.

McQuaid comes from a family steeped in Irish cycling and Olympic history, two of his cousins – Oliver and Kieron – represented Ireland in cycling at the Olympics during the 1970s.