Beijing 2008
8th Aug 2008 – 24th Aug 2008
About
Beijing 2008 was delivered on an unprecedented scale, with the Bird's Nest stadium and the Water Cube aquatics centre announcing China's arrival as a global superpower through architecture as much as sport.
Sailing's Ciara Peelo carried the Irish flag at the Opening Ceremony. Boxing produced all three of Ireland's medals. Kenneth Egan won silver in the light heavyweight division and carried the flag at the Closing Ceremony. Darren Sutherland won bronze at middleweight - a performance that took on a deeper poignancy after his death in September 2009.
Paddy Barnes won bronze in light flyweight, the first of two consecutive Olympic bronze medals he would win for Ireland. Eoin Rheinisch came close to securing another medal for Ireland, finishing 4th in Men's kayak slalom . Ireland won one silver and two bronze medals.
