Jack O'Leary: 'It doesn't matter what your sob story is. Sport goes on and people run fast'

O'Leary heads to Birmingham this weekend for the European Athletics Championships, where he will test himself against Europe's finest in the 10,000 metres next Saturday.

Jack O'Leary poses for a portrait during an Athletics Ireland European Championships kit day and media at the Sport Ireland Institute in Dublin. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

Born to be a jockey but ended up being the horse. That's Jack O'Leary's slogan for the life he leads.

There's plenty of truth in it. His father, Eddie, is racing manager for Gigginstown House Stud, his uncle is Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary, and horses have been woven through family life. As a teenager, he even rode out for Gordon Elliott before athletics won the battle for his heart and mind.