Ireland's Olympians

All men are not born equal. Some are faster, stronger, more gifted. The Beijing Olympics showcases some great athletes. Over 10,500 from 200 countries compete - including Team Ireland, with world-class contenders and national champions, the best that Ireland can produce. Some are potential medallists, now or in 2012. Others will make Olympic finals, break records or produce personal bests. But what has Ireland done to develop these special athletes? What ingredients make up an Olympic athlete - are they born or are they made? And what is life really like for a world-class Irish athlete? Ireland's Olympians is an RTAe Sport series, produced in co-operation with the Olympic Council of Ireland and the Irish Sports Council. This book, which accompanies the TV series, gives a rare insight into the lives and minds of Olympians past and present.
Featuring contributions from Olympic medallists Ronnie Delany, Michael Carruth, John Treacy, Sonia O'Sullivan, Stephen Martin and Steve Redgrave, there are also in-depth interviews with leading Irish athletes and international experts across a wide range of sports - from Derval O'Rourke and David Gillick (athletics) to Kenny Egan (boxing), Gearoid Towey (rowing), Derek Burnett (shooting), Tim Goodbody (sailing) and Eoin Rheinisch (canoeing). Who is this book for? It's for the sports fan and the weekend warrior, the ambitious, the curious, parents, coaches, managers and athletes who strive to understand the workings of body and mind, seeking answers to questions such as: o How has the sporting system in Ireland helped - or hindered - our athletes? o How can the GAA help develop the next generation of Olympians? o Why has no white man ever run under 10 seconds in the 100 m? o What's the easiest gold medal to win? o Why are most of Ireland's top athletes living and training overseas? o What sports should a young child be playing and what is the best age to start? o How does immigration help Irish sport? o Why do so few promising juniors go on to senior success?
And why does Ireland miss so many late developers? o Can the length of toes and fingers or date of birth influence a child's ability in sport? o How do great athletes override mind and body and push themselves to the limit?