Judge Olympic success on more than medals for Ireland's athletics stars

The Ireland 4x400 mixed relay team, from left, Cillin Greene, Phil Healy, Sophie Becker, and Christopher O’Donnell after their heat at the Olympic Stadium. Picture: Stephen McCarthy

Athens, 2004. Alistair Cragg had just booked his place in the 5,000m final but his focus was set to a wider lens.

The 24-year old was beaming, infused with pride at becoming the first Irishman to make it into the medal race on an Olympic track since Marcus O’Sullivan in Seoul back in 1988. He knew this was a memory cemented for life even if his ambition had yet to set.