From Iron man to every Man

Swimming, cycling and running — all in the same event. Little wonder the sense of achievement for a triathlete is so immense. Simon Lewis spoke to seven-time national champion Ger Hartmann about a special event in Cork next week.

AS A world-renowned physical therapist Gerard Hartmann knows a thing or two about getting top athletes ready for major events. He has treated Sonia O'Sullivan throughout her illustrious career, helped Kelly Holmes to her double gold medal success in Athens last summer and Paula Radcliffe to her world championship marathon success 10 days ago in Helsinki.

More than 49 Olympic medal winners and 34 world champions in a multitude of events have either visited his clinic in Limerick, or gained the benefit of his healing hands at the world's major training bases and championships.