John Pius Boland: The man who became an accidental Olympic champion

In this month of commemoration and celebration it is appropriate to recognise the achievements of John Pius Boland. 

On April 11, 1896, he became the first Irish-born athlete to win an Olympic title when he won the men’s singles and doubles titles at the Athens Games.

Boland was born on September 16, 1870 at 135 Capel Street, Dublin and was a member of an elite Dublin family who controlled one of Ireland’s leading baking and flour-milling companies.