Final bell for Sonia?

THE tall, thin frame that had belied the strength within for so many years looked tired and pained in Athens last night.

It was a physique which brought so much joy to a nation and had taken Sonia O’Sullivan to four Olympics and a collection of world and European gold medals in both track and cross-country.

But now the frame looked vulnerable and exhausted. Lapped by half the field in the Olympic 5,000m final was not how the story should have ended.