Loughnane strolls away with head held high after taking final Olympic steps

A legend of Irish race walking took her final Olympic steps on a cool Saturday evening in London.

Olive Loughnane finished 13th in the 20k walk with a season’s best 1:29.39 to end an Olympic career stretching back to Sydney in 2000. In the interim she has pounded roads and gyms around Galway, Cork, Ireland and the world. So perhaps it was fitting that her games’ farewell would be witnessed by so many family, friends and supporters who had travelled from Loughrea, Coachford and plenty of points in between to cheer her along.

“I said I’d have no regrets and I have no regrets,” she said afterwards. “Unfortunately instead of being the hunter I was the hunted today. It’s a massive season best. I was two minutes inside what I’ve done this season. I’ve no regrets but I thought I’d be so much higher than that but it takes a lot to fight on when things aren’t going to plan.