All-Irelands are won by artists — not weightlifters

The journalist Adharanand Finn was shocked at the conditions he discovered when he entered the training camp of one of the most successful distance runners in the world.

Gleaming, brand new cars were parked at the gates of the shanty-like compound, the temporary home of Emmanuel Mutai, the Kenyan runner who collected $80,000 (€61,000) after winning last year’s London marathon in a record time.

Such prize money would allow Mutai to live like a lord in his native country. But Mutai’s living quarters consisted of a grass courtyard that was surrounded by rows of makeshift dormitories.