The Olympic Games takes place on a massive canvas and yesterday delivered some of the most diverse emotions that sport can call on, across a range of sports that normally exist only on the margins of the Ireland’s sporting consciousness.
First up was the defeat of World Champion and Gold Medal favourite Michael Conlan in the boxing ring. Commentary from around the world had questioned some of the boxing decisions at these games but few were as obviously at odds with the evidence of the eye as this one.
Any sport which is judged subjectively has the capacity to cause upset and it must be said questions over the integrity of judging have been more muted in recent years from this island as Irish boxers conquered much if not all of the titles available to them.
Emotions in the commentary position in Rio and within the RTÉ Studios were running high and Evanne ní Cuillin’s interview with Conlan after the fight must have sorely tested the nerve of the senior production team and the station’s legal department.
Rant and a half by Michael Conlan #boxing pic.twitter.com/dJFtAavfVZ
— Conor Duffy. (@duffbag) August 16, 2016
Bernard Dunne, Michael Carruth and Mick Dowling in the studio joined in the condemnation of the judging and the state of amateur boxing with Joanne Cantwell proving masterful in her anchor duties just about keeping a lid on anger that is not the norm for afternoon TV.
Elsewhere though the Olympics did deliver for Ireland with Annalise Murphy claiming our second medal in sailing and Oliver Dingley making it to our first ever diving final.
A day of huge contrast finished on another high when Thomas Barr won his semi final in the 400 metres hurdles to qualify for the final on Thursday, a first in sprinting since Bob Tisdall as far back as 1934.
Brilliant images from our Photography partner Inpho.ie
Sport for Business’ Coverage of the 2016 Olympic Games is supported by Team Ireland Official Partner Electric Ireland #ThePowerWithin
