O'Sullivan walks tall

Athletics World ChampionshipsSo did you witness the new adventure in Irish athletics? The pictures of the redhead in the green vest taking to the streets of Paris and turning her years of promise into a World Championship medal? Did you really believe she could do it?

Well, believe now. Gillian O'Sullivan has a silver medal around her neck, a true champion of the 20-kilometre walk. It might not be the most popular event in Ireland but you still have to beat the best in the world to claim that honour. You don't cherish the moment any less.

And whatever the arguments about race-walking there was no argument about the nature of O'Sullivan's performance. Steely, determined, full of honest effort, and brilliantly executed. Exactly what she'd been working towards since her childhood dreams in Killarney. Well rewarded too, with $60,000 to go with the silver medal.

From just after 9.30 local time yesterday morning her race spread perfectly towards that goal. Her image filled the screens inside the Stade de France, every frame telling the same story. She was in Paris to do business. To win a medal.

After five kilometres she was part of a leading trio that had already left all other contenders trailing.

At halfway she'd seen Yelena Nikolayeva pull clear, but there was no panic. The Russian is the most successful woman walker in history, already with a bagful of Olympic and world medals. And at 37 she is 10 years O'Sullivan's senior.

It was just eyes straight ahead from there to the finish. As it turned out, the bronze medal would change hands a few times but O'Sullivan was always certain of silver. She arrived into the stadium with a wide smile and ready to punch the air, with a time of one hour, 27 minutes and 34 seconds.

The Russian had come home just 42 seconds earlier, setting a championship record of 1:26:52. Valentina Tsybulskaya of Belarus had come from several places back to take the bronze in 1:28:10, a national record.

Eight athletes finished under 1:30, all truly world class. And that despite Russia's race favourite, Olimpiada Ivanova, having a bad day and dropping out early.

Later when most of the leading finishers gather in the mixed zone it is O'Sullivan who draws the biggest crowd. All the other walkers that pass by offer a kiss, knowing this popular Irish athlete fully deserves her medal. The first of those is Olive Loughnane, her Irish team-mate who had also performed so creditably to finish 12th.

"Well it's brilliant to actually do it, and win a medal," says O'Sullivan. "It's easy to talk about it in all the interviews I've done. And this has been a dream for me.

"But I've worked so hard now I feel I deserve it. It's the culmination of a lot of hard work from me and my coach and everyone who has supported me.

"And I kind of felt it was going to be a good today. I woke up feeling good. And I was ready for this. I'd prepared so well all year, and trained so hard. And had some really good races before coming here.

"I'm delighted for myself now obviously. But also for my coach. For my family and friends. And for everyone supporting me out there on the course. And I really had fantastic support out there."

Those that have closely followed O'Sullivan's career say she can take off now and totally dominate her event. The same way Paula Radcliffe has done in the marathon.

With her coach, Michael Lane, the preparations are always meticulous, and exhausting. This year alone she'd travelled from Mexico to Italy and from Russia to the French Alps in her efforts to peak for this race.

The satisfaction extended beyond her silver medal. She also collects $30,000 in prize money, and another $30,000 for winning the IAAF Grand Prix race walk series, which culminated in Paris.

She'd also dealt with all that pressure and expectation to become only the third Irish athlete to win a medal at this level, following Eamonn Coghlan's breakthrough gold 20 years ago in Helsinki and Sonia O'Sullivan's silver and gold back in 1993 and 1995.

But she didn't just arrive at this level. She had to endure several years of progression. After her 10th-place finish at the Sydney Olympics she was disqualified at the World Championships in Edmonton two years ago and was fourth in the Europeans last summer.

"Well the future looks good alright," she adds, "as long as I put the work in again next year. This will give me a lot of confidence too, knowing that I can be right up there in major championships.

"Today Nikolayeva did break away quite early, but I had to let her go. I raced with her in Russia in the European Cup and got disqualified and I didn't want to let that happen. And towards the end I knew I had around 100 metres on the third.

"I just kept pushing and pushing. I only got the two cautions, and one warning at the end. Which is what you expect.

"So I said I'd settle for silver today. She's a good 10 years older than me and has so much experience. But hopefully I'll be around as long as her."

Then she is summoned to the IAAF press conference room. An Irish athlete, sitting very nearly on top of the world.

Inside: page 12

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