McCarthy and McSharry star for Team Ireland during closing ceremony

Team Ireland flagbearers Mona McSharry and Fintan McCarthy during the closing ceremony. Picture: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

“We are the champions my friend” blasted through the Stade de France, sung in Freddie Mercury’s iconic voice, as athletes waved their national flags and hard-won medals at the Olympics closing ceremony 2024.

Back-to-back Olympic champion and West Cork rower Fintan McCarthy joined bronze medal winning swimmer Mona McSharry in carrying the Tricolour and leading the Irish delegation into the stadium after Olympic swimming champion Daniel Wiffen stepped back with mild illness.