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Paris 2024: Paul O'Donovan not ruling out fourth Olympics

Updated / Friday, 2 Aug 2024 15:19

Olympic champion Paul O'Donovan will take time to plan his next move, but hasn't ruled returning for what would be a fourth Games in Los Angeles in 2028.

O'Donovan and his partner Fintan McCarthy put in an assured and accomplished performance in the men's lightweight double sculls final as they came home in a time of 6:10.99, taking gold ahead of Italy and Greece, to retain the gold medal they won in Tokyo in 2021.

At present, the lightweight double sculls are not in the Olympic programme for LA in 2028, but O'Donovan, who turned 30 in April, said he would consider going in a different boat in what would be his fourth Games.

Speaking after the medal ceremony, the three-time medallist said: "Fortunately, I’m very lucky to still be healthy fit and here competing and lucky to have Fintan behind me in the boat who was absolutely on fire this morning dragging me down the course - it’s been a good week.

"It’s [LA 2028] definitely something that’s on my mind at the minute so I must go home and write out a plan for the next few years and see how to fit that one in."

McCarthy, however, said he was now "done weighing in", as he prepares to leave his lightweight days behind him.

The 27-year-old told RTÉ Sport: "We had our last weigh-in ever this morning, well probably, Paul might have a few more coming up but I’m done, done weighing in, so I’ll get some nice food, beverages and see what happens."

O'Donovan and McCarthy were roared on to victory by a large Irish contingent at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium, and the support was definitely noticed by the pair.

O'Donovan said: "When we were getting ready to warm up and go out on the water, we looked into the grandstand and saw a whole load of green and some white as well and few of the Dutch crowd standing there.

"But when you're standing in front of them on the podium it turned out it was just the green, white and orange of Ireland, the place is absolutely packed with Irish supporters, everyone else was drowned out so really happy to see that great support from home."

"There’s so many Irish supporters, it’s more than I expected to be honest, it was out of this world, class," McCarthy added.

As for their plans to celebrate another gold tonight, O’Donovan said: "The French said they are going to take us out for some baguettes and wine downtown in Paris later on today."

"It was always in doubt for everyone else, I mean no one believed we could do it coming into this competition," O'Donovan quipped after the race.

"And against all the odds we stuck with it, trained hard. Italy out there today were number one seeds, really put it up.

"Greece, like ourselves also put in a big dig and got on to the medal podium.

"Unfortunately, Switzerland missed out after some early performances this year.

"We're very happy to have proved the doubters wrong, it's a good day for the Irish."

McCarthy added: "Gold was always the aim for sure. We had a rocky enough season, well, I did, Paul's obviously been as consistent as hell throughout the whole year.

"It was really nice to get a few good races under our belt early in the regatta.

"I was trying to keep under wraps the nerves and the doubts but coming out for the final there were no nerves.

"We had some really good rounds in and I felt we were back at our best for this race and it's just amazing to be here in front of all our family and everyone supporting us, especially from the club.

"It's just been a crazy journey the last few years and honestly the privilege of a lifetime to be rowing with Paul and under Dominic [Casey, coach] for my whole rowing career, yeah, it's amazing."

O'Donovan also made history in becoming the first Irish athlete to claim medals at three Games.

"I think that's a fluke," he said modestly.

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