Jaco Van Gass is a decorated Paralympic cyclist, former British Army paratrooper, and motivational speaker, known for his inspiring journey from battlefield injury to podium glory. Recognised as one of Britain’s most accomplished para-athletes, he has represented Great Britain Cycling Team across multiple Paralympic Games and World Championships. Most notably, Jaco became a double gold medallist at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, following his earlier triple medal success at Tokyo 2020. In 2025, he was awarded an OBE for services to cycling, adding to his MBE in 2022, recognising a remarkable career that exemplifies grit, resilience, and elite performance.
Jaco Van Gass is a decorated Paralympic cyclist, former British Army paratrooper, and motivational speaker, known for his inspiring journey from battlefield injury to podium glory. Recognised as one of Britain’s most accomplished para-athletes, he has represented Great Britain Cycling Team across multiple Paralympic Games and World Championships. Most notably, Jaco became a double gold medallist at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, following his earlier triple medal success at Tokyo 2020. In 2025, he was awarded an OBE for services to cycling, adding to his MBE in 2022, recognising a remarkable career that exemplifies grit, resilience, and elite performance.
Jaco’s journey began with a dream to serve in the military. Originally from South Africa, he moved to the UK and in 2007 successfully completed his training to join the British Army’s Parachute Regiment. However, while serving his second tour in Afghanistan in 2009, his life changed forever when he was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade, resulting in the loss of his left arm. After undergoing 11 surgeries and extensive rehabilitation, Jaco refused to be defined by his injury. Instead, he began to challenge physical and mental boundaries, including completing a 335km expedition to the South Pole in 2013 with Walking With The Wounded, alongside Prince Harry. He then transitioned into competitive cycling, quickly becoming a force on the international stage.
Between 2016 and 2024, Jaco accumulated an extraordinary list of achievements in para-cycling, including multiple medals across Track World Championships, with standout performances such as three golds and two silvers in 2023. His Paralympic accolades speak volumes about his elite talent, with five golds, one silver, and two bronze medals earned across Tokyo and Paris. Off the track, he is also the author of Unequivocal: My Story, a candid and powerful reflection on overcoming trauma, finding purpose, and achieving greatness against all odds.
As an Olympic speaker, Jaco is highly sought-after for his ability to translate Olympic-level mindset and discipline into powerful, relatable insights. His topics include Overcoming Adversity, Resilience and Mindset, Mental Health, Leadership and Teamwork, Disability Inclusion and Accessibility, and Goal Setting and Motivation. With lived experience at the highest levels of sport and military service, Jaco offers compelling, authentic storytelling that motivates audiences to reframe setbacks as opportunities. His Olympic focus and sporting achievements make him the ideal choice for teams, organisations, and events seeking to inspire lasting impact.
2025 - Appointed CBE for Services to Cycling
2024 - Double Gold medallist at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games
2022 - Appointed MBE for Services to Cycling
2020 - Double Gold & 1x Bronze medallist at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games
2014 - 2x Gold medallist at the Invictus Games
8x Track World Champion
5x Track World Championships Silver medallist
1x Track World Championships Bronze medallist
"Jaco van Gass' visit to Abbey Gate College on Remembrance Day was one of the best experiences of my 28 years of teaching. A truly remarkable young man whose personal story was told with sensitivity and a real awareness of his audience. He wowed our Junior 5 and 6 pupils with his heroic tales and inspired our Sixth Formers with untold courage of how he overcame adversity of the worst kind. Inspirational, humble and passionate about life, it was a real pleasure to have met Jaco. His story will be remembered by all who heard him speak for a very long time."
"- Abbey Gate College
"Not only is Jaco one of the most delightful, humble and effortlessly charming individuals you will meet but he has an extraordinary life story that he is (unusually for someone in his position) able to articulate publicly with honesty, humour and skill that is profoundly moving. I would recommend him for almost any public speaking engagement but especially as a motivational speaker."
"- British Forces FDN
"I wanted to extend a heartfelt thank you to Jaco for his incredible contribution to our recent event. His session was nothing short of inspiring, and the journey he shared with us left a deep and lasting impression on everyone present. By the end of his talk, we all felt as though we had walked alongside him through the challenges and triumphs he described. It was not only powerful but deeply emotional too, resonating with so many of us on a personal level. Jaco’s ability to connect his experiences to the way we navigate our own challenges—especially in times of uncertainty—was eye-opening. He reminded us of the importance of focusing on our goals and taking deliberate steps towards trying to achieve them, even when the path ahead feels uncertain and we may need to try another route. It was a timely and much-needed reminder for us all."
"- Investec
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