The Olympics have officially kicked off, and Team Ireland had a busy day on the water. Canoe slalom Olympian Hannah Craig and RTÉ rowing analyst Tim Harnedy joined Mikey Stafford to discuss the day’s events. Hannah was on hand to witness Liam Jegou’s challenging runs in the canoe slalom heats, where he just managed to qualify for the semi-finals. She explains the difficulties Jegou faced and his determination to excel in the upcoming semis. Additionally, she highlights the potential of young talent Madison Corcoran, who unfortunately didn’t advance from her heat.
Tim Harnedy, on the other hand, praises the strong performance of Philip Doyle and Daire Lynch in the double sculls heats. He is optimistic about Team Ireland’s chances for success in the regatta and mentions that defending champions Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy will be competing in the opening round soon. According to Tim, Ireland has multiple medal contenders beyond just O’Donovan and McCarthy.
Lastly, Mikey shares an interesting story about the New Zealand eight team that won gold at the 1972 Munich Games. The tale involves unconventional tactics like ‘dream kitchens’ and beer-drinking mind games. This anecdote adds a fun and intriguing element to the discussion about Olympic rowing.
Overall, the day was full of ups and downs for Team Ireland at the Olympics, but there is a sense of optimism and excitement for the competitions ahead. With talented athletes like Jegou, Corcoran, Doyle, Lynch, O’Donovan, and McCarthy representing Ireland, there is hope for medals and memorable performances in the days to come. Stay tuned for more updates and insights on the RTÉ Olympics Podcast available on various platforms like RTÉ Radio Player, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more.