Atlanta 1996
19th Jul 1996 – 4th Aug 1996
About
Atlanta 1996 was Ireland's most decorated Olympic Games to that point, with Michelle Smith making history as the first Irish woman to win an Olympic gold medal, claiming three golds and a bronze, a record for any Irish competitor. Smith's results were later overshadowed by doping allegations; she was not stripped of her medals but received a four-year ban in 1998 for tampering with a urine sample.
Francie Barrett carried the tricolour at the Opening Ceremony, a moment of considerable significance for the young boxer from Galway. In rowing the Men's Lightweight Four crew of Derek Holland, Sam Lynch, Neville Maxwell and Tony O'Connor finished in 4th position in the A final. Also on the water, Ian Wiley produced a fine performance to secure 5th Place in the Men's Slalom Kayak event. Sonia O'Sullivan, Ireland's pre-Games favourite for athletics gold, was unable to finish the 5000 metres final.
