Gjert, the father and trainer at one of the world’s top middle-distance stables, is facing questions about how he raised his children.

The practice is perfectly legal but that is likely to change, and there’s a clear precedent when it comes to athletes inhaling small amounts of potentially deadly gases.

“Bicarb has been around a long time and the performance benefits have been known, but there’s always been this huge risk because of the GI issues...explosive diarrhea is one of the symptoms.” 

Ireland's Olympic successes threw a spotlight once again on the thorny topic of tracks and fields - and often the lack thereof.

The reality is the stuff that does drive participation is far less sexy than Olympic medals.

There's no such thing as deserving a medal, our top athletes know. 

The mess is not the fault of the two boxers at the centre of the storm, Algeria’s Imane Khelif or Chinese Taipei’s Lin Yu Ting, who are not breaking any rules by competing in Paris.

Medals have significant value, but what is the cost?

Ireland's Olympic chef de mission Gavin Noble isn’t afraid to admit that athletes in that medal bracket will get higher priority when it comes to support staff and resources, their every need catered for in a way that’s not possible for everyone.

Barr produced a dominant display to win his 12th national title in the men’s 400m hurdles on Sunday but fell short of the automatic Olympic qualifying standard of 48.70 when clocking 50.61