Gary O’Donovan won the silver medal in rowing at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the lightweight double sculls alongside his brother Paul O’Donovan.

The medal was Ireland’s first in rowing at an Olympic Games and captured the public imagination, turning the O’Donovan brothers into household names and sparking a surge of national interest in rowing across Ireland.

Gary O’Donovan went on to be honoured with Ireland’s flagbearer role for the closing ceremony of the Rio 2016 Games.

He has won a World and European championships and two silver medals at European Championships – all in the lightweight double sculls.