Straight-talking Olympians are credit to the nation

A sporting year like no other, 2024 provided plenty of highlights.

The recent RTÉ Sports awards offered an opportunity to reflect on a momentous year for Irish sport, with the Olympics rightly taking centre stage.

The biggest sporting event bar none, the Olympic Games delivered in spades from an Irish point of view. A final haul of seven medals was a record for Ireland, with four golds and three bronze.

There are two main reasons why the Olympics and Team Ireland specifically that make it my sporting highlight of the year.

First, Ireland’s ability to perform at such a high level across such a variety of disciplines. This is a small island, and when you consider that many of our top athletes are playing an indigenous sport in Gaelic Games, we could be even more successful in other disciplines without that also being in the picture, as the potential playing pool available to other sports would be larger.

But just look at how Ireland performed in Paris: it wasn’t just the old reliable, boxing, delivering the medals.

Kellie Harrington did brilliantly in the ring to win gold again and seal her place as one of the country’s all-time great athletes, but Ireland also excelled elsewhere.

Gymnastics, rowing and swimming provided great moments while Rhasidat Adeleke had the eyes of a nation on her on the track as she came so close to delivering a medal in the women’s 400-metres.

Beyond that there were some close calls in other sports – Liam Jegou, for example, almost clinched a podium place in Canoe Slalom – so the breadth and depth of Team Ireland is one thing, but the ability of all of those athletes to perform at such a competitive level is reflective of this country’s ability to achieve big things, despite many obstacles.

On that point, as discussed in this column in the summer, the incoming government must back up plenty of talk about funding and investment with actual cast-iron commitments in that regard. When you see the ability of the Olympic Games to grip a nation every four years, it’s evident that a lot of people care about how Ireland perform. Money invested in sport provides so many benefits, it’s a win-win for politicians. If Ireland can perform to the level it has this summer, imagine what might happen with an even greater commitment from stakeholders to really push hard for further success.

The second reason the Olympics caught the imagination so much, to my mind, is the personalities involved.

To a man and woman, Team Ireland represent all that is good about our country – it’s warmth, culture, diversity and ability.

Many of my colleagues in the media will agree that a degree of authenticity is absent in some sports in terms of their engagement with various media, and that is harming their product. Personalities and characters are what draw eyeballs in – just look at Damien Duff in the League of Ireland.

Team Ireland buck the trend. In so many interviews, whether held in the aftermath of a sorrowful defeat or a joyous victory, our athletes showed themselves to be wonderful ambassadors for our country.

I’m thinking about the affable Paul O’Donovan, winner of Olympic medals at the last three Games. Always self-deprecating, O’Donovan has no airs and graces but just goes about his business quietly, while also establishing himself as the world’s best.

I’m thinking of Ciara Mageean, who had to endure the heartbreak of not being able to even line-up in Paris off the back of one of her best season’s yet having won gold in the 1500-metres at the European Championships.

Naturally devastated, Mageean has spoken frankly since about the genuine despair she felt while also contextualising the situation and keeping it in a wider perspective. Listening to her speak in Donnybrook last week, there was certainly a determination in her voice about persisting and recovering sufficiently from her achilles problem to give Los Angeles in 2028 a right crack. That determination and willingness to push the boundaries makes Mageean a formidable competitor and one of the country’s most popular athletes.

I’m thinking of Mona McSharry, who came good to win a medal in the pool off the back of so much success – and indeed some trying times – in recent years. She knew this was her time to deliver and such pressure could overawe some but McSharry instead rose to the challenge and won her bronze medal, fulfilling all of that potential that was so evident since a young age.

I’m thinking of Daniel Wiffen, the swimmer who has been smashing records for fun in recent years. Confident beyond belief, Wiffen’s demeanour stands out because he talks himself up and backs himself to win, as opposed to trying to be a plucky underdog. Crucially, he justifies his confidence with cast iron success.

On a wider level, the willingness of many of our Team Ireland athletes to be open and real with their comments help endear the public even further. It’s hard to imagine better people to represent us on the world stage.

Los Angeles in 2028 feels like a long time away, but already so many of our athletes are training away with that in mind. Plans are in place, goals are set and yes, events will take place between now and then, but the Olympics is always the pinnacle.

That’s why Paris 2024, and Ireland’s remarkable success, will live long in the memory.

To you and yours, have a very Happy Christmas.