Adrian O’Connor competed in the men’s 100 metres and 200 metres backstroke at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, a remarkable achievement for a swimmer who had reached international standards while training from a home base in Ireland.

From New Ross, Co. Wexford, O’Connor qualified for Atlanta on the strength of a 100 metres backstroke time of 57.56 seconds — a mark that placed him among the elite of European swimming. In Atlanta he finished 7th in his heat in the 100 metres and also took his place on the start line of the 200 metres backstroke, competing on the biggest stage the sport has to offer.