Cormac Finnerty competed in the men’s 5,000 metres at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, advancing from his heat in 10th place (13:54.01) before finishing 10th in the semi-final (14:08.88).

A member of Mullingar Harriers, Finnerty was a veteran of the 1994 European Championships and several World Championships and Cross Country Championships. His breakthrough year was 1995, during which he reduced his 5,000 metres personal best from 13:35.54 to a 13:18.04 – a transformation that coincided with his graduation from Clemson University in South Carolina.

The long-distance events at Atlanta were slow and tactical; in his semi-final Finnerty even attempted some front-running to push the pace, but when the sprint for the six final places began he lacked the leg speed required. He later reflected that in attempting to push beyond his 1995 season he may have over-trained, and arrived in Atlanta somewhat below his best form.