Following a hugely successful Olympic Games in Paris for Team Ireland, “The Energy Behind” series on Virgin Media tonight concludes with an inspiring look at how the games worked out for the athletes it had followed.
Rhys McClenaghan, Daire Lynch and Philip Doyle discuss their medal success, while Ciara Mageean and Jordan Conroy reflect on their disappointment.
“It’s so hard, because for everybody else, the Olympics is one week. But for me this is an entire cycle, an entire career,” says Mageean in the show airing tonight at 8-30 PM.
“Since having to make the decision that I wouldn’t toe the line, which was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made in my life…I’ve cried, I’ve felt as empty as I’ve ever felt.
“I will put any part of my body on the line for that Irish vest, for the tricolour. Unfortunately, this time around, it was too much and I couldn’t. And it breaks my heart, because I would do anything to toe that line.
“Doing some strides the day before, I just couldn’t. I was running on one foot, on one leg. And I knew I wouldn’t do myself or my country justice toeing the line, and to be honest for the first time doubted that I’d be able to complete the race.
“With the guidance of the medical staff and their advice, I knew they were very much looking out for me – I was fighting all the advice to still be out there. But I knew that as tough as the decision was, it was the right one not to step out because my dream is of an Olympic medal. I knew I could be in that final this year. Having finished fourth in the Worlds last year, my aim was to be up there fighting for a medal.”
It has a been a great show, sponsored by Flogas and co-produced by Titan Experience.
Tonight will be a nice bookend on the series of storytelling around the Games.
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