LIMERICK’S Sarah Lavin is to lead out Team Ireland as the Olympics kicks off in the French capital this evening.
The Emerald AC hurdler will be joined by Offaly golfer Shane Lowry as flag bearer for this Friday evening’s Olympic opening ceremony, which will see athletes float their way down the Seine through the heart of Paris.
Sarah will be competing in the 100m Hurdles at the Games and described being named as a Team Ireland flag bearer as “the greatest honour” she has ever been given.
In a curious twist of fate, Lavin won’t be the first Limerick Olympian to bear the flag by the Seine. At the last Paris Olympics, 100 years ago this year, Limerick man John O’Grady carried the flag for Ireland in the 1924 Summer Olympics.
O’Grady placed 17th in the shot put, throwing a distance of 12.75 metres. The Limerick man set the world record in the sport on nine different occasions. Today, a monument to O’Grady’s achievements stands on the Ballysimon Road, a familiar sight to many in the Treaty City.
Congratulating the 30-year-old athlete, Mayor John Moran said is looking forward to watching the Limerick athlete competing.
“Sarah is an exceptional athlete, a national record holder, and a fantastic ambassador for sport,” he said.
“It will be a moment of great pride for Limerick to see her leading out the largest Irish contingent ever to travel to the Olympic Games.
“On behalf of the people of Limerick, I wish Sarah and all the Irish athletes the best of luck. It promises to be a very enjoyable competition with plenty of Limerick interest.”
Director General of Limerick City and County Council, Dr Pat Daly, added that “many of us have enjoyed watching Sarah Lavin’s career with interest over the years. It was a fantastic achievement to qualify for her second Olympic Games and the whole of Limerick will be cheering her on.”
“It will be a thrill for us all to witness her bearing the flag for Ireland alongside another sporting great, Shane Lowry.
“Best of luck to Sarah and all the Irish Athletes.”
Limerick also has links to a number of other Irish athletes competing in the Olympic and Paralympic Games, including UL graduates Thomas Barr, Sharlene Mawdsley, and Tiarnán O’Donnell as well as current UL student Róisín Ní Riain and Kelly McGrory who trains at the UL Training Base.
