Sean Lavan was one of the most multifaceted athletes in Irish sporting history – a man who made GAA history by introducing the solo run to Gaelic football, won fourteen national athletics titles, qualified as a doctor, and competed in the men’s 200 metres and 400 metres at the 1924 Paris Olympic Games.

From Kiltimagh, County Mayo, Lavan had first trained as a primary school teacher before enrolling as a medical student at UCD in 1922, qualifying in 1927 and later lecturing in anatomy and serving as surgeon at Temple Street Hospital and as police surgeon. A Gaelic footballer of exceptional talent, he played for Mayo between 1918 and 1924 and during a match against Dublin in 1921 introduced the solo run to the game – one of Gaelic football’s defining skills.

He also won Collingwood and Sigerson medals with UCD. Switching to athletics when a wrist injury interrupted his football, he won the national 440y title in 1923 (52.8 seconds) and retained it in 1924, earning Olympic selection. In Paris, he won his 200m heat comfortably (having eaten a substantial lunch when it became clear no major rivals were drawn in his group) and was eliminated in the second round; he also qualified for the quarter-final of the 400m, where he finished fourth and was eliminated.

He carried the harp-shaped wreath of roses to the tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arc de Triomphe at the start of the Games alongside Noel Purcell.