Michelle Smith congratulates rowers - and defends her controversial Olympic record

'I just want to congratulate our brilliant rowers, Fintan McCarthy and Paul O’Donovan, on their wonderful achievement in becoming Ireland's newest Olympic champions'

Michelle Smith displaying her collection of Olympic medals which she won in Atlanta in 1996.

Atlanta Olympian Michelle Smith de Bruin has added her name to those congratulating Ireland’s latest gold medallists Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy - and took the opportunity to defend her controversial triple success in 1996.

Dublin barrister Smith de Bruin, won golds and a bronze 25 years ago amid accusations of doping. In 1998, she was given a four-year ban for tampering with a urine sample, though she never tested positive for any banned substances and always maintained that she raced clean.