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, competed in the men's 200 metres and 400 metres at two consecutive Olympic Games, and served as Chief Medical Officer to the Irish team at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics.
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 and Dublin 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, and participated in soccer, rugby, boxing and handball. Switching to athletics when a wrist injury interrupted his football, he won national titles from 100 yards to 440 yards including hurdles, earning Olympic selection.
In Paris 1924, he won his 200m heat comfortably but was eliminated in the second round; he also qualified for the quarter-final of the 400m, where he finished fourth. 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.
He returned to the Olympics at Amsterdam 1928, captaining the Irish athletics team, and again competed in the 200m and 400m, reaching the quarter-finals of both events. He passed away on 5 August 1973.
Athletics
