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.

“Before today I wouldn’t have put money against myself winning a medal but that’s just the way it rolls… the first two inside were the world record. I went through the first 5km in 87 minute pace and I was about 12th! Ordinarily they’d come back to you, they’d drop like flies but that just wasn’t happening. If you try your best and it doesn’t work out that’s fine.”

The race was won in blistering style by Russian Elena Lashmanova in a world record time of 1:25.02, pipping her team-mate and long time leader Olga Kaniskina on the line.

As Loughnane battled to readjust her race strategy, the one constant was the incredible Irish support that lined the circuit. The 36-year-old was grateful for every cheer and shout and especially the presence of her husband Martin and daughter Eimear.

“I wouldn’t be here without the support of Martin, Eimear and my family, and I did it for them too. What could you do without the support?

“When things were tough they just kept me going. They were trying to get me every place they could and that’s what kept me going. It is difficult to keep fighting on when you’re way off position-wise. It was my pride that kept me going.”

With over a decade as a world class competitor, Loughnane has witnessed the changing face of Irish sport. And for the most part, she feels the progress has been positive.

“Things have been tough financially in Ireland but I’ve had good support from Sports Council and I appreciate that.

“In terms of organisation things have improved so much since I started 12 years ago The level of co-operation between the bodies has improved but there are things that need to be sorted out within the federation and I hope they’re sorted pretty quickly.”

As to her future, that will be a conversation for another day.

“I’ll see. I’ve had fantastic support from my husband and family. I’m 36 and I train very hard.

“I think the event has moved on and I’m not sure I’m going to be able to move on with it. We have high expectations for ourselves.

“We operate on a very high level – we don’t come to the Games as tourists. We come here to perform.”

Ireland’s other competitor in the field, Laura Reynolds, was 20th in 1:31.02, a personal best.

“I’m delighted. I’m only 23, this is my first Olympics and it has been a hard year with illness and injury.

“I’ve come home from training camps as sick as a dog so I was a bit worried coming into it. But it was just a brilliant experience.”

Now she heads home on a high but back to reality as she bids to secure a job.

“If anyone’s looking for a PE and biology teacher, get in contact,” she laughed as she strolled away.