Olympics 2024: When Olympians with Mayo connections are competing in Paris

The emigration to the USA of a Mayo man over 100 years ago has almost come full circle with his descendants visiting the county this past week on their way to supporting the great-grandson of Michael Duffy at the Paris Olympics.

Colin Duffy is representing Team USA in Rock Climbing and while only 20 years old, this is already his second Olympics having been the youngest member of the USA’s team at Tokyo 2020.

Michael Duffy departed the village of Falleighter in Aghamore in 1918 as a 19-year-old and having joined the US Navy, eventually settled in New York. All these years later his great-grandson, Colin Duffy, who was born and raised in Denver, Colorado and began the sport of climbing as a 5-year-old, is a two-time Olympian and will compete in Paris on August, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th and 9th, He is one of several athletes taking part whose roots are in Mayo, none more so than Belmullet native Sinead Diver who runs for Australia in the women’s marathon on August 11th.

Eric Favors, who grew up in New York, qualifies for Ireland through his Ballina-born grandmother who emigrated to Rockland County. He will compete in the shot put which will take place between August 2-3. Also representing Ireland is London-born Ciara McGing, who has family connections in Tourmakeady. She will compete in diving between August 5-6.