Irish athletes, Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy, made history at the Olympic Games by claiming the lightweight double sculls championship title, a feat not achieved by the Irish in 92 years. This followed their Tokyo victory three years prior and resulted in them being the first to defend Ireland’s Olympic gold since Dr Pat O’Callaghan’s victory in the hammer throw in 1928 and 1932.
Kellie Harrington, a boxer, may also join this elite group as she has secured a minimum of the bronze medal and will be attempting to retain her 60kg Championship title. Her semi-finals are scheduled to take place on Saturday night. High expectations are on Rhys McClenaghan, the back-to-back world champion, as he wants to claim his first gold on the pommel horse.
Following their victorious row at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium, McCarthy and O’Donovan, who were busy signing autographs for the hundreds of Irish fans who had come to cheer at the competition gates, maintained a composed attitude towards their remarkable achievement and expressed optimism for the future of Irish sports in the Olympics.
A confident O’Donovan, 30, talked about the team’s successful title defence, and assured that many Irish athletes will repeat and exceed the feat in not only rowing but in other sports as well. Their victory brought Ireland’s total medal count to five in a week in Paris, comprising two gold, two bronze and at least one bronze for Harrington. However, there were some close calls, with Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove placing fourth in the skiff medal race and a couple of late errors damaging Ireland’s chances in the equestrian team final.
“It’s been incredible and thoroughly enjoyable. I’ve had a fascination for rowing right from the start,” reflected McCarthy, who’s now 27. “Having the chance to do this for quite some time now is a privilege; not many are able to realise their dreams in such a way.”
As they moved from the third position to securing the second spot in the middle of the 2,000m race, both he and O’Donovan managed to finish first, leaving Italy in the second position and Greece in third. Lynch celebrated as they crossed the finish line, lifting his arms high while O’Donovan reclined in the boat.
Their decisive victory unfolded as they started gaining momentum, with their supporters on the sides rooting for them. By the time they reached the 1,500m point, they had acquired a lead of nearly a second, paving their way to an imposing win and their place in the annals of Irish sports.
“It was truly remarkable,” McCarthy continued. “What made it more special was the amount of Irish fans in the stands. I’ve never experienced anything like it. Catching sight of friends, family and familiar faces in the crowd made the occasion extremely dear to me.”