Olympics Daily

Here it is then, the final episode of of Olympics Daily: Paris 2024.Gavin and Sinead gather at the mics for one last time, mainly because the longer they talk the longer they can convince themselves that the Games haven’t actually ended. They chat through their favourite memories from the Games, and what we learned about our greatest sportspeople.They also reflect on today’s homecoming event for Team Ireland, as 20,000 fans flocked to O’Connell Street on a Monday afternoon to pay homage to their new heroes.They also discuss funding: what can be done to build on Paris 2024? The government have promised extra money for LA 2028, but can they do more? And where should any additional investment go?And finally - thanks to you for listening to this podcast during the Olympic Games - you made a great experience even better. We don’t have another Olympic Games to chat about for while, but if you have any thoughts on what you’d like to hear in this podcast feed going forward, then please let us know. We are eager to hear any and all suggestions: sinead@thejournal.ie and gavincooney@the42.ie

And it must come to an end. Gav and Sinéad report from Ireland's final two events at Paris 2024 - an incredible fifth Olympics for Fionnuala McCormack and a sensory blitzkrieg from the velodrome.They also run through their favourite moments of the past 16 days, from Irish gold medals to sport-changing performances.

So close! The brilliant 4x400m women's relay team finished fourth in the Olympic final after running a national record. The quartet were devastated talking to journalists afterwards, and Sinéad and Gav give their view of that room.Earlier, Sinéad went weightlifting to watch a member of the Refugee Olympic Team while Gav dealt with the online fallout of his questioning of Bahraini athlete Salwa Eid Naser on Friday night.

The country watched on as Rhasidat Adeleke came fourth in a world final for the second time. Sinéad and Gav were in Stade de France to witness the 21-year-old's disappointment as she fell short of her podium dream. They discuss her future - from tomorrow night's relay final to future Olympic and world title chances.Earlier, Sinéad delighted in the 4x400m relay qualification while Gav enjoyed the madness of Daniel Wiffen's Seine exploits.

Gavin bagged a media ticket to watch the USA’s star-spangled basketball team and reports back from their stunning comeback win against Serbia, which earned them a spot in Saturday’s gold medal match against France. Sinead, meanwhile, was at the Stade de France to watch Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone turn the 400m hurdles final into history’s fastest procession.They also discuss Noah Lyles’ revelation that he ran the 200m final with Covid, and ponder whether these Games may suffer a greater Covid impact thank Tokyo, and whether the idea of the athletes’ village will remain as integral to future Games.Gavin also reports from his morning at the men’s speed climbing final, and then we hunker down for the big one: a lane-by-lane preview of tomorrow’s women’s 400m final, featuring one Rhasidat Adeleke.

Rhasidat Adeleke has made history by qualifying for an Olympic sprint final, but she admitted afterwards it was a “messy race” that leaves a lot of things to fix for Friday’s final. Gavin reports from a curious night at the Stade de France and asks what her performance augurs for the final.Sinead spent a day at Taekwondo with Jack Woolley, and reports on an agonising near-miss after an agonising wait. Gavin also has happier news from the morning’s track events, though is mortified by making a hames of a joke around an Irish athlete.Plus: the perils of trying to make weight for the Olympics, and an unfortunate injury

Kellie Harrington has done it: she has become the first Irish Olympian to successfully defend their title since, well, Friday. Let’s say she’s only the second to do it since 1932. Gav and Sinead were both in Roland-Garros to see the crowning moment of her farewell, and report on what it felt like in the moment and what it means to Kellie, who said that, “this one’s for me.”That was a happy sequel to a disappointing morning for Team Ireland: Sinead was out at a showjumping final that didn’t yield medals, while Gavin rolled back the years to an unhappy morning on the track for a host of Irish athletes.We also discuss the stunning men’s 1500m final, and the alleged lights show before the women’s 200m decider.

Gav and Sinead were both there to witness Rhasidat Adeleke’s comfortable victory in her first run at the Olympic Games. What does the time and result mean for her medal hopes? Is it time to get very excited?Meanwhile, there is live reaction to the breaking news of Ciara Mageean’s devastating, injury-enforced withdrawal from the Olympic Games. From Ireland’s point of view, it’s news to grey an Olympic Games even as vivid as this.Sinead previews tomorrow’s showjumping final, which may deliver yet another medal, as Gavin is excited to learn of another Longford Olympian.They also answer some of your questions, so keep them coming to sinead@thejournal.ie or gavincooney@the42.ie.

Sinead reports back from the final act of Ireland’s miracle Olympic week: a bronze medal for Daniel Wiffen in the 1500m freestyle. But was he a little disappointed with it? And even if he was, does it really matter? Have you not seen how many medals we’ve won?Gavin meanwhile enjoyed/endured/loved/hated another day yoked to Rory McIlroy, as he first raised hope of an Olympic medal before losing it in one dramatic moment. Scottie Scheffler won the gold medal on a dramatic day that secured golf’s place in the Olympic Games.Plus, Sinead reports back with some very encouraging news from Rhys McClenaghan’s future Olympic ambitions.