O'Connor seizes chance to claim bronze

Cian O’Connor was delighted “to give back to the Irish public” today after delivering his country’s first medal of the Olympics in extraordinary fashion.

O’Connor took bronze in the individual showjumping at London 2012 eight years after winning a gold in Athens that he was stripped of soon after.

The 32-year-old, who served a three-month ban after his horse tested positive for a banned substance, was not even meant to be at this year’s Games.

Denis Lynch – part of a team suspended for the Beijing Olympics for alleged doping – was originally selected ahead of O’Connor to represent his country.

But Lynch fell foul of the authorities again last month as Ireland’s showjumping reputation was dragged through the mud once more.

That earnt O’Connor a reprieve and, amazingly, he had another this morning.

After not qualifying for today’s final, a rival horse failed an inspection and O’Connor’s Blue Loyd took its place.

O’Connor very nearly took full advantage, coming within two hundredths of a second of a gold-medal jump-off before losing a jump-off for silver.

O’Connor said: “Coming off Athens and what happened eight years ago, it was great to be able to get here and to be able to deliver on the world stage like myself and Blue Loyd have done.

“I feel it’s something special that I’m able to give back to the Irish public and hopefully it does something for the sport at home and encourages people to get involved.

“It’s certainly a very proud day for me and everybody involved with me.

“But I hope that others at home can reap the benefits also.”

O’Connor was oblivious to the fact he had won Ireland’s first medal of the Games, adding: “Obviously, I’m delighted about that.

“It’s been a whirlwind kind of trip to get to this stage.

“I was one place out from getting into the final today.

“But I think I was positive and optimistic myself last night and told my wife, ’I think I’m going to get in and I think I’m going to jump clear’, and she was laughing at me.

“This morning, one horse was withdrawn and then we got our call-up.

“But I was more prepared to be jumping than not to be jumping, so everything was planned as if we were.

“And I think that’s the key to be able to deliver at this level.

“I don’t think for one minute I’m one of the best riders in the world but I do think that I’m one of the most organised.”

O’Connor did not quite get his timing right for his final round, however missing out on the chance to challenge Steve Guerdat for gold by milliseconds.

He said; “For the second round, I got interesting instructions from [team manager] Robert Splaine before I went in.

“He said, ’Don’t rush, but don’t have a time fault’.

“I’m still trying to figure that one out.”