Oliver McQuaid competed in the men’s road race at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games on the hilly Mont-Royal Olympic circuit, showing well initially by leading the field across the line at the end of the first lap before suffering a puncture in the fifth lap that proved decisive. Having lost contact with the leading group, he was lapped in the ninth circuit and was forced to retire.

He prepared well by competing in proper international events but the team manager concluded that a season of continental racing would be essential in any future Olympic year. He is a member of the famous cycling McQuaid family, his brother Pat going on to become president of the UCI