The unfortunate death of professional bicycle motocross (BMX) racer Harry Leary has occurred. On Saturday, September 7, 2024, in the Arizona desert, he passed away from heat exhaustion.
Harry Leary passed away on Saturday, September 7, while training hard to continue racing and loving BMX, according to a Facebook post confirming his death. Such a devastating loss, but over the years, millions of fans have found great inspiration in him—both in sports and in life.
BMX racing had a boom of enthusiasm, inventiveness, and fierce rivalry from the late 1970s to the mid 1980s. A rider whose name became a byword for tenacity and determination was one of the iconic characters of this thrilling age.
Despite the fact that he did not have as many titles in his career as some of his peers, his perseverance and influence have solidified his legacy in BMX history. This pioneer of BMX had his best competitive years between 1978 and 1985.
It was during this time that he became a formidable force in the sport. Competing in the senior professional divisions—“AA” in the American Bicycle Association (ABA) and “A” (Elite Men) in the National Bicycle League (NBL)—he demonstrated a blend of aptitude, quickness, and unwavering resolve. Though his career was far from easy, he was respected and recognized for his achievements on the track.
It wasn’t always easy for him, even with his talent. Many injuries throughout his career—especially to his knees—marred his career and prevented him from having several successful seasons.
His goals of racing were severely hampered by his injuries, which required numerous surgeries. His career was significantly impacted by the physical demands of the sport and the ongoing struggle to regain shape.
Managing the fame, especially in the comparatively specialized realm of BMX, brought even another level of strain. His mental health suffered as a result of the demands of being in the spotlight. He went to a sports medicine clinic in July 1984 to control his stress, which is evidence of the lesser-known psychological struggles that elite sportsmen encounter. He got to meet celebrities from more well-known sports while he was working at the clinic, which gave him insight into the wider picture of the challenges encountered by sportsmen in all sports.
He formally retired from BMX racing in 1989. He had shown his continued dedication to the sport in a different way by taking a break from competitive racing for the three years prior to his retirement to work as the factory team manager for Diamond Back. During this time, his job underwent a substantial change, but his love for BMX did not.
He returned from retirement to compete in the ABA’s Veteran Pro class in the early 1990s. His triumphant comeback was evidence of his unwavering devotion to the game and his unbreakable character. It is astonishing that at 64 years old, he is still racing, demonstrating that his commitment to BMX knows no age or retirement boundaries.