Derval O'Rourke can look forward to pursuing athletics with less financial concerns after her 60metres hurdles gold medal success at the World Indoor Championships in Moscow yesterday.
The 24-year-old from Cork collected more than £20,000 for her victory, having previously relied upon a national grant, part-time employment and the generous support of her father.
He has enthusiastically supported her career after first showing potential as a junior and through university, with her victory over Glory Alozie and Suzanna Kallur announcing O'Rourke on the world stage after an impressive season.
A delighted O'Rourke admitted: "It's hard to believe I'm a world champion. I've been working towards it all season and I can't believe it's happened."
The Leevale AC member is now tipped to follow in the footsteps of Ireland's greatest sportswoman, Sonia O'Sullivan, as an athletics role model.
Her Moscow preparations, however, were far from glamorous. After winter training, O'Rourke competed in IAAF development meetings at Bratislava and Vienna which were aimed to raise standards in the region.
Despite basic facilities and accommodation, O'Rourke impressed and secured two excellent victories.
"I know I can go faster and very shortly," she said at the time, two weeks before breaking the eight-second barrier in Belfast.
She took her encouraging form into Moscow, where she improved after being shaded in a warm-up heat.
She added: "I became more confident after that session and finally thought I could win. I was nervous but everything was okay."
