John Treacy on the hardest thing in Irish sport: ‘I had to wear a back brace 23 hours a day’

The Waterford native is one of Ireland’s most successful athletes of all time, but he also grappled with the stress and doubt caused by serious injury.

John Treacy is one of Ireland’s most successful athletes of all time, but he also grappled with the stress and doubt caused by serious injury.

Dealing with uncertainty, particularly when injured, is a challenge for any sports-person.

John Treacy, now chief executive of the Irish Sports Council but an Olympic silver medallist and (twice) World Cross Country champion, goes back to his own career to reinforce this as his nomination for the hardest thing in Irish sport.