Olive Loughnane ‘in state of shock’ as golden moment finally arrives

It may have taken seven years, but Olive Loughnane can finally call herself a world champion, and what’s more, she now has the medal to prove it.

Yesterday evening in Amsterdam, the 40-year-old Galway woman was awarded the 20km race walk gold medal from the 2009 World Championships in Berlin, a race in which she crossed the line 49 seconds behind Russia’s Olga Kaniskina, who was retroactively banned for doping earlier this year.

In the shadow of the Olympic stadium last night, Loughnane stood atop the podium in front of a gathering of Irish fans, Loughrea flag in hand, and fought back the tears as Amhrán na bhFiann rang out across the medal plaza.

She was presented with her medal by IAAF President Sebastian Coe.

“It’s surreal,” said Loughnane.

“I’m in a state of shock. The emotions were running high because I’ve always said I was so proud of my performance in Berlin, and the fact that it was good enough to be world champion is icing on the cake.

"I know in my heart I gave it everything that day, it was just a pity the system wasn’t strong enough to catch them at the time.

“A lot of my friends who came to Berlin also came here, and though it’s not the same as getting it at the time, it’s as good as they could have done in the circumstances. You have to respect that, because there’s value in the sentiment.

"It’s a wonderful bonus to be winning medals when you’re retired, and I can enjoy this now as I know it’s definitely the last hurrah.”

Irish in action today (all times Irish) Women’s pole vault qualification, 8:35am: Tori Pena Men’s 200m heats, 9:50am: Marcus Lawler Men’s 800m heats, 10:35am: Karl Griffin, Declan Murray Women’s 100m heats, 11:15am: Amy Foster Men’s 400m hurdles semi-final, 3:15pm: Thomas Barr Men’s 400m semi-final, 3:45pm: Brian Gregan Women’s 400m semi-final, 4:35pm: Sinead Denny Men’s 1500m heats, 5:20pm: Eoin Everard