PAUL GRABS GOLD AT WORLDS TO ADD TO HIS MEDAL HAUL
PAUL O’DONOVAN’s promises are ringing of silver and gold this summer. Yesterday, the Cork Olympic hero held up his word made to family and friends in Rio by smashing all in front of him at the World rowing championships in Rotterdam.
‘At the 500m left I remembered I told my friends when I was in Rio that I would win here by open water,’ O’Donovan told the media after his victory, ‘so I thought I should probably keep my promise. Then at 200m to go I guess I started smiling a little.’
The hero of the water returns home tomorrow to what will be a rapturous reception — and he will of course be doing so with his fellow Olympian and brother, Gary who had also stopped in Rotterdam on his long journey home, joining a large contingent of Cork supporters who cheered Paul to further glory.
However, keeping to character on the water, the 22 year-old made a tentative start in lane six and was last of the six boats after 500m. However, when Slovenian Rajko Hrvat burst into the lead the Skibbereen man was quick to follow and he was already second at the halfway point.
He then set a thunderous pace that eventually caught up to Hrvat, but no one could live with the Irish star, who was a length clear heading for the last 500m.
As Hrvat faded, Peter Galambos of Hungary and Slovakia’s Lukas Babac came through for the minor medals, but there was no catching O’Donovan, who finished four seconds clear of the field in a time of 7:32.84.
After winning a silver medal in Rio with his brother Gary in the lightweight double sculls event, this was the icing on the cake for the Corkman, who is emerging as one of the most promising talents in the sport.
‘The first stroke was bad, but then the second one was good so I went from there,’ a delighted O’Donovan said.
Chairman of Sport Ireland Kieran Mulvey paid tribute to O’Donovan, saying: ‘On behalf of the entire Irish sporting community I would like to congratulate Paul on what is a remarkable achievement.
‘Having captured the imagination of the country in Rio, today’s win so soon after claiming an Olympic medal shows Paul’s talent and dedication to his sport.
‘It will be a wonderful occasion in Skibbereen when Paul and his brother Gary return, and that celebration is richly deserved. To Paul, his team and all in Rowing Ireland a very well done.’
Lightweight pair and O’Donovan clubmates, Mark O’Donovan and Shane O’Driscoll couldn’t follow up their compatriot’s heroics with a podium finish of their own and they took fourth in their final.
Paul O’Donovan has now laid down a significant marker in one quick summer, and looks set to dominate rowing for many years to come and add to his medal haul.