Sonya McGinn represented Ireland in badminton at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, becoming the first Irish player to compete in badminton at the Summer Olympics. McGinn lost in the 2nd Round to Mia Audina of the Netherlands – a former Olympic silver medallist who had represented Indonesia at Atlanta 1996.

McGinn won nine Irish national championship titles during her career, five in women’s singles and four in women’s doubles, and was a dominant figure in Irish badminton for a sustained period. Her qualification for Sydney 2000 marked a significant milestone for the sport in Ireland.