Breaking Olympic records

Sir, – In his article on rowing (“Paul O’Donovan advances to heavyweight semi-finals at European Championships,” April 25th), Ian O’Riordan stated that Paul O’Donovan will this year be attempting to become the first Irish athlete in any sport to win medals at three successive Olympic Games.

However, the great John Flanagan, born in Kilbreedy, Co Limerick in 1873, won gold medals at three successive Olympic Games in 1900, 1904 and 1904, becoming the first athlete from any country in any sport to do so, and a feat not equalled in track and field until Al Oerter of the US did so in the 1960s. Flanagan was then representing the US as Ireland had not yet gained independence to enable it have its own Olympic team.

He has been regarded as the Father of Modern Hammer Throwing. – Yours, etc,

JAMES HEALY,