Fans’ faith gave O’Sullivan strength

SONIA O’SULLIVAN recalled yesterday how the tremendous backing displayed by Irish fans in Athens Olympic stadium banished any thoughts of retirement after her Games ambitions were ruined by illness.

O'Sullivan, the 5,000 metres Sydney silver medallist, started her final race suffering from a badly upset stomach and clearly was not in shape to mount any challenge for another medal.

But the 34-year-old bravely completed the 12-and-a-half excruciating laps. An hour after the race she was still retching violently.