Gerry McIntyre competed in the men’s marathon at the 1960 Rome Olympic Games, finishing 22nd in a personal best of 2:26:03 in a race of extraordinary quality. The first fifteen finishers all surpassed Emil Zatopek’s Helsinki record of 2:23:03 and the race was won by the barefoot Ethiopian Abebe Bikila in a world record of 2:15:16.

McIntyre had returned from London shortly before the Olympic trial and produced a stunning performance at the AAUE marathon championship at Finglas on 7 August 1960, winning in 2:27:50 and breaking Bertie Messitt’s Irish record by 52 seconds.

His 22nd place in Rome, in a personal best performance, reflected his genuine international class as a marathon runner.