John Treacy who ran his first marathon at the Los Angeles Olympics won a silver medal.
Fresh from his Olympic success, John Treacy and his wife Fionnuala were guests on 'The Late Late Show'.
The Olympic medal provided great optimism for the country and Gay Byrne was inundated with requests to have John Treacy on the show to celebrate this achievement.
A young man from Villierstown County Waterford who did us proud in Los Angeles.
John Treacy admits to being both overwhelmed and appreciative of the support he has received from the people of Ireland since the Olympic success.
The couple has just returned from a few days break in Scotstown County Monaghan where Fionnuala is from. She says that it was a break from all the attention as John Treacy is not as well known up north.
The Olympic Games was where John Treacy ran his first marathon. He had originally intended to compete in only the 10,000 metres at the Olympics. After undergoing a number of metabolic tests last January and again in March, he was advised that he was a better marathon runner. His doctor was convinced that he could win a medal. BLE selected him to compete in the marathon without having run a trial. He was quietly confident that he could do very well in the race.
I'm just a marathon man.
Fionnuala's support for his career as an athlete has been tremendous. The couple are upping sticks at the drop of a hat and moving to another country. She also helps to build his confidence when things have not gone well. Fionnuala says her support comes from her belief in John as an athlete.
I just truly honestly believed he could win a medal. I had no doubt whatsoever.
This episode of The Late Late Show was broadcast on 8 September 1984. The presenter is Gay Byrne.
