Olive Loughnane on the hardest thing in Irish sport: Performing on the day when it’s needed most

“I had the ability to really hurt myself in order to get the most out of myself. That was a good talent to have when it mattered: I remember in 2009 feeling I couldn’t do another step at 14K, but carrying on.”

The silver medal Olive Loughnane took in the 2009 World Championships 20K walk was later upgraded to gold when winner Olga Kaniskina was disqualified for doping offences. Picture: Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE

In a race walking career that took in four Olympic Games as well as several World Championships, Olive Loughnane experienced the biggest sporting occasions, the days when it was all on the line.

For her, being ready for those occasions, and producing the goods when required, was the ultimate challenge.