You need to be quick in order to make it from the media stand within the Stade de France to the mixed zone promptly for interview sessions with athletes; navigating down from our spot, which provides a view of the final straight to the central level of the venue. A swift swivel and the path to the track extends before us via an elongated staircase; 89 steps to descend and the same number to ascent – believe me, I’ve traversed these numerous times within the past eight-day period, certainly not setting any speed records.
Upon entering, the mixed zone is spread out, fenced off by crash barrier line, segmented into a variety of smaller areas, offering ample space to interact intimately with the competitors. Every closing participant is compelled to pass through with no obligation to contribute any commentary if they opt not to do so.
Through the calculating lens of Olympic averages, a greater quantity of athletes will perceive themselves failures than winners. These happenstances are inherent in such events. The distance to the mixed zone, though reasonably close to the finish line, grants competitors an opportunity to compose themselves one final time.
The initial query almost always is: “Can you describe how you’re feeling now?”
In the context of Olympic games, more competitors harbor a sense of personal failure than those who consider themselves victors, suggesting the harsh reality of such high-stakes competitions. Often, excuses are made to rationalize lack of achievements and most competitors prefer not to provide defeat justifications.
This truth has been reiterated over the past eight days and the event is not quite over yet. The emotional responses, bracketed by happiness and sorrow, are frequently raw and authentic.
This rings particularly true for those competitors sensing this might be their final Olympic appearance. Two days prior to the commencement of these games, Thomas Barr celebrated his 32nd birthday, and his tears suggested that this season might be his last.
“I was evidently emotional out there as I’m coming to terms with the fact that this is definitely my last Olympics,” Barr spoke after his part in the mixed relay race last Friday week. “Perhaps my last race as well, but that’s still uncertain. I’ll take a moment to reassess, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the journey as well as my time here.”
A week has passed since Mark English, a 31-year-old who sacrificed his medical career for his athletic pursuits, competed in the semi-final round of the 800m race in Paris. Unfortunately for English, he wasn’t able to progress past this stage. Nevertheless, he has no regrets, particularly given that he provided his best ever Olympic performance during his preliminary race.
English is no ordinary talent; he is a four-time European 800m medallist and has twice broken his own Irish record this summer. While there are no signs of him retiring just yet, it seems unlikely that he will continue racing for another four years leading up to the LA Olympics.
“I went all in during the semi-final, but it just wasn’t my day. I tried my absolute best,” he admitted. “I wouldn’t change a thing. Although I’m uncertain about pursuing another Olympics, I can confidently say I’ve given everything to this sport.”
Sarah Lavin, 30 years old this year but by no means long in the tooth for a sprint hurdler, has another Olympic cycle within her grasp. Nevertheless, there is an understanding that her opportunities for competing are starting to become limited.
When Lavin spoke later that Friday showing the fresh bruise under her knee, a result of hitting the eighth hurdle during her 100m hurdle semi-final race, her hopes of making the Olympic finals were dashed. She, much like English, realises the finite nature of an athlete’s career.
“As athletes, we’re like time bombs, we have a limited window,” she acknowledges. “A journalist, coach, or physio can continue in their field indefinitely. But athletes always have a timer ticking away. That being said, if my body permits, I fully intend to continue racing.”
As for Mark English, when he finally decides to retire, he can find solace in the fact that his Irish record of 1:44.53 may remain unbroken for a considerable amount of time. His contribution to the sport will continue to resonate.
We haven’t had a chance to chat with the sole remaining Irish athlete in Paris, Fionnuala McCormack. The last contender from the 133-strong team representing Ireland across all disciplines, she has yet to step foot into her Olympic event.
Lavin gave one of the most unforgettable utterances heard all week in the mixed zone, “Above all, this is about sport. The instances of these past fortnight have deeply impacted me, and will remain with me much more than any gold medal ever could. It’s due to the people one gets to know, the experiences one has, the emotions that come with it.”
Fionnuala McCormack, the remaining unspoken Irish athlete in Paris, will initiate her Olympic performance, lining up for the women’s marathon kicking off Sunday morning (7am Irish time).
In a historical first, the women’s marathon concludes the athletic events for this Olympics (with the men’s race occurring this morning), partially to commemorate the historic women’s March on Versailles of 1789, which marked the onset of the French Revolution.
The running course will retrace the path to Versailles, returning to Les Invalides in Paris. McCormack will have her name etched in Irish Olympic history as the first female from any discipline to participate in five Games.
Additionally, she has participated in four unique events: the 3,000m steeplechase in the 2008 Beijing event, the 5,000m and 10,000m races in London 2012, and the marathons in Rio 2016 and the postponed 2021 Tokyo Olympics. She clocked 2:26:19 in Valencia last December—a time within the 2:26:50 requirement for Paris—just five months after the birth of her third daughter.
McCormack, who is turning 40 next month, is famed for letting her running express itself. She would gladly breeze past the mixed zone post-marathon. Yet, no other Irish athlete in Paris has embarked on an Olympic journey as lengthy as hers. Now, let’s find the words to encapsulate that.