A century ago, the honour of bearing the Irish tricolour at the inauguration of the Olympic Games in Paris was bestowed upon John O’Grady, a noteworthy weight-throwing champ hailing from Limerick. The opening proceedings of the Olympic event took place at the main stadium on 5th July, 1924.
Athletes of Irish origin had been participating in the Olympics since their reinstatement in Athens in 1896, initiated by Baron Pierre de Coubertin. However, they competed as members of teams from nations including Great Britain and the USA.
The introduction of a national delegation from Ireland to the Olympic Games marked a novel occurrence in 1924. As the Irish competitors journeyed from Dublin to Paris towards the end of June 1924 to partake in the Games, John O’Grady, colloquially known as Jack, was hailed a “colossus of the contingent” by the Irish media.
His recognition stemmed not only from his formidable physical stature, but also from his extensive accomplishments in his sport of choice. Born in February 1892 in Ballybricken, County Limerick, O’Grady stood 6 feet 4 inches tall, boasting a weight over 18 stone and a chest circumference of 54 inches.
A press tale of O’Grady on a shopping venture in Scotland, in relation to an international contest, provides a sense of his imposing size. He stunned a shop assistant when he disclosed his collar size of 22½ inches, leading to the adaption of two standard collars stitched together to cater to his grand scale.
However, in stark contrast to his daunting look, O’Grady was often referred as “The Baby”, bread owing to his serene and amiable personality. He was often compared to “a smiling, modest child”.
In 1913, O’Grady initiated his participation in weight-throwing championships in Ireland at an event in Mallow Sports. His legendary achievement came about in 1922, in Limerick, where he shattered the previous 42 lb weight-put record held by Pat Ryan of America. O’Grady managed to extend the existing record by more than five inches, securing an impressive throw of 29 feet 10.5 inches.
The sport of weight-throwing, supposedly originating from Ireland, drew O’Grady’s interest. The traditional Tailteann Games included roth cleas or wheel feat, a presumed early version of the sport. The game began with a handled cartwheel being tossed around the head and subsequently thrown. Progressing with time, the cartwheel was replaced firstly by a stone and a stick, then by a blacksmith’s hammer, and finally a rounded hammer.
Remarkably, O’Grady was following a family tradition in weight-throwing, as his uncle, Ned O’Grady, had previously secured several national and world titles in the same sport.
O’Grady also brought the Irish flag to the forefront at the Olympic Games’ inaugural procession of nations in London, 1908. Following O’Grady was the Irish high-jumping leader Larry Stanley. The Irish representation included a variety of athletes – runners, tennis players, boxers, a water polo team, and a discus thrower. The team ranked 25th among other nations. The Games witnessed a total participation of over 3,000 top amateur athletes from 44 countries.
Coming to the end of O’Grady’s life, he passed away at his Saint Alphonsus Terrace home on November 24th, 1934, just aged 42. His memory was honoured with a monument, funded via public subscription from Limerick and Dublin sports fans and clubs, including a contribution from O’Grady’s Olympic teammate, discus thrower PJ Bermingham. A local sculptor named T Keane designed the commemorative limestone and steel structure, fashioned in the form of a 56lb weight on a pedestal.
Situated at the convergence of Ballysimon Road and the Old Cork Road on the Fairgreen, at the end of Mulgrave Street, stands a monument inaugurated by Francis J O’Dea from the National Athletic and Cycling Association in November 1937. Notable attendees at the opening included the late O’Grady’s wife, the city’s mayor, and several members of parliament.
A tribute to his exceptional athletic prowess and sportsmanship is inscribed on the structure’s base, “Erected by his admirers in recognition of his phenomenal athletic ability and as a lasting tribute to his sportsmanship”. The inscription acknowledges his three world records, seven national championships, his birth, and death dates. The text concludes in a hope that O’Grady’s example would “for ever serve as a model for those who seek to maintain Ireland’s athletic prestige”.
Over the years, this monument has found a special place in the hearts of sports enthusiasts and locals of the Treaty City. Throughout the 1950s, members of An Óige gathered at the monument before setting off on their routine cycling trips. In the 1970s, children partaking in the city’s Community Games would start their march to the games from this spot, and it even found representation in their awards.