During the sweltering heat of a Parisian Sunday morning under the slight shade of the Eiffel Tower, the final athletic event of the 2024 Olympics provided an historic moment for Irish sport. Fionnuala McCormack completed the women’s marathon, placing 28th, and in doing so etched her name into Irish athletic history. No other Irish woman had ever taken part in five different Olympic Games, providing a pivotal moment for McCormack, a mother of three and soon to be a 40-year-old.
The Dubliner, married to her coach Alan, pushed her limits in the event as she had done in her Olympic career which began 16 years ago in Beijing. This competition was not merely about participation, but an earnest struggle that reflected her unyielding effort over the years. In line with recognizing the historical women’s march on Versailles in the onset of French Revolution, 1789, the women’s marathon was scheduled as the final athletic event, making a first in Olympic history.
The marathon exacted the route taken by women in 1789, leading out to Versailles and returning to Les Invalides in central Paris, with an undulating course that McCormack likened to “torture”. Her relief blatantly evident as she stated, ”At least I’m still alive.”
Despite the challenging terrain and extreme weather conditions, she clocked 2:30.12, a powerful performance yet not totally satisfactory for the Wicklow athlete. She then had to critique herself for her initial 47th place at 10km, but eventually showcasing her mettle to finish among the top 30 out of 79 participants. She coped better with the first elevation gain, however, she found herself wrestling with the second, so much so, that her fellow competitors in front of her had to halt and walk up it.
Upon reflection of her performance, she reckoned the competition to be the hardest yet. Although she believes Sapporo, Japan was likely hotter, the course in Paris was tougher. However, the challenge and diversity of the course made it more intriguing and ultimately, a better experience.
Reflecting on her recent experiences with a sense of longing, she wished to be nearer the Eiffel Tower, as its distance made her heart yearn. She directed her focus on the downward slopes which were her forte and where she tended to pass her rivals. The level terrain was her undoing, yet she wished passionately she could have played a more active role in the race, instead of merely enduring it.
Her significant other, Alan, is stationed in Paris, whilst their trio of daughters – Isla, aged one; Isabella, three years old; and Naomi, five – were viewing proceedings remotely from their residence in Wicklow.
In a race of historical significance, Dutch sensation Sifan Hassan claimed her third Olympic medal across varying distance events within the same Games – a first for a female athlete. Hassan baylieved an Olympic record-breaking 2:22:55. Already with the 5,000m and 10,000m bronze medals in Paris under her belt, she outpaced Ethiopia’s Tigist Assefa in a gallop to the finish, securing Assefa a silver medal with a time of 2:22:58. The bronze medal was awarded to Kenya’s Hellen Obiri, who set a personal record with her time of 2:23:10.
McCormack previously participated in four isolated Olympic events, including the 3,000m steeplechase in Beijing 2008, the 5,000m and 10,000m in London 2012, and the marathon in Rio 2016 (where she placed 20th). She also endured the delayed 2021 Tokyo Olympics (finishing 25th).
Her sporting career is far from over; she jestingly anticipates the moment Seb Coe will introduce cross-country into the Winter Olympics, referring to the World Athletics President and his aspirations. However, ceasing her running habit is not in her foreseeable future. Of course, she will need to contemplate her next move and wants a more active role in her pursuits. Finishing her Olympic journey on a passive note is not what she desires.
McCormack conveyed a discernible disappointment having not achieved the levels of performance she had strived for across her five Olympic participations.
“I’m aware that participating in five Olympic Games isn’t a walk in the park, particularly while maintaining fitness and avoiding injuries. The Olympics represent the height of every athlete’s career, and having the ability to concentrate solely on that is, I presume, quite amazing. Now, having the company of my three little girls to return home to, regardless of my performance, is indeed wonderful—they couldn’t care less about how I fared.”