Background
Born in Paisley and grew up in Glasgow, McGlynn was partially sighted at birth, she joined the Glenmarnock Wheelers cycling club at the age of 18 but was initially reluctant to tell her club mates about her disability.
Born in Paisley and grew up in Glasgow, McGlynn was partially sighted at birth, she joined the Glenmarnock Wheelers cycling club at the age of 18 but was initially reluctant to tell her club mates about her disability.
However, when the club worked it out they were very supportive. She is also a patron of an organization called "Crank lieutenant Up" who aim to provide cycling for people of all abilities. Before McGlynn became a full-time athlete, she was a trainee actuary with a degree in mathematics, statistics and management science from the University of Strathclyde.
McGlynn and Hunter broke the flying 200m women's tandem World record in April 2004.
McGlynn and Hunter, coached by Barney Storey, once again broke the World Record at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Manchester, in a time of 1:10.381, but despite this, failed to gain a podium position. The pair represented Great Britain at the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing, winning gold in the Kilo (B&VI 1–3), setting a new world record time of 1:09.066 in the process, and in the individual pursuit (B&VI 1–3).
She was also named Alumna of the Year by the University of Strathclyde in 2009. McGlynn took her first silver medal at the 2014, riding alongside Louise Haston in the Sprint.
The pair were defeated in the final by the English duo of Scott and Sophie Thornhill.
McGlynn took her second silver medal for the 2014, in the Kilogramme Aileen and Louise were the 1st tandem to go sub 1:10, recording a time of 1:09.771. Gold went to England"s Thornhill & Scott.
Already a Member of the Order of the British Empire (Administration Member of the Order of the British Empire), McGlynn was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in the 2009 New Year Honours.