Paul Brydon

Paul Brydon was 20-years-old when he was selected to represent New Zealand at the 1972 München Olympics, riding on both the road and track. Brydon was part of the quartet that rode in the 4,000 metres team pursuit, the first time that New Zealand had entered a pursuit team at the Games. He was also a late addition to start in the road race, replacing Brent Pascoe, who was ruled out with a broken collarbone. Brydon finished 50th in the main peloton of riders who were only two-and-half minutes behind the race winner.

Brydon remained in Europe for a year after the Olympics, working in Selfridges in England for three months. This was followed by a nine-month stint in the Netherlands, where he rode in local criteriums. In 1973 he rode in the Tour of Scotland before eventually returning home to New Zealand to ride in the Dulux Tour in Auckland, where he finished third overall. This was all in preparation for the 1974 British Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, where Brydon, René Heyde, Russell Nant, and Blair Stockwell won bronze in the team pursuit. Brydon retired soon after the Games, first working in a painting and decorating business, before running his own mirror and glass business in Rangiora.