Richard Gheel competed in the men's 200 metres freestyle, 100 metres backstroke and 200 metres backstroke at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games - finishing 25th in the 200 metres backstroke as his best result.
From Omagh, Co. Tyrone, Gheel had set a new Irish record for the 200 metres backstroke at the Eight Nations Gala in Edinburgh - a time described as the fastest recorded in that international event since 1982 - and this performance secured his selection for Seoul.
His 25th place in the 200 metres backstroke reflected his standing as Ireland's leading backstroke swimmer of his era.
Swimming
