Sign up to The Irish Times Archive (1859 - 2008)My Account »
Fri 08 Aug 2008Loughnane walks on air after taking seventh
ATHLETICS:IT'S PROBABLY fair to assume that those accusing the Irish athletes of Olympic mediocrity weren't down in the drenching wet Bird's Nest yesterday morning. But then there were no medals won, and certainly not a note of Olé, Olé, Olé.
Before Beijing, Ireland's glowing athletics tradition had produced exactly 16 top-eight finishes - the top eight being traditionally the standard measure of success - starting with Pat O'Callaghan's hammer win in 1928. These were achieved in 10 separate Olympiads, which means in seven other Olympiads since 1928, Ireland fell short.
Choose a Subscription type - required
