Top Irish Athletes to watch at the Olympics - Best of Ireland

Daniel Wiffen - Swimming

The Co. Down native made a splash at the tail end of 2023, earning three European golds and a world record after a remarkable display at the short course swimming championships in Romania last December. The momentum continued into the new year, as the 22-year-old won two golds and was named Best Male Swimmer at the World Aquatic championships in Doha in February – the first ever Irish medals at championship level. His second Olympic games after his debut in Tokyo, Wiffen is understandably one of Ireland’s hottest prospects at the games this summer, with the physical capabilities to compete in a variety of races ranging from 400m to 1500m.

13 August 2023; Daniel Wiffen of Ireand poses for a portrait with his 1500m freestyle gold medal during day three of the European U23 Swimming Championships at the National Aquatic Centre in Dublin. Photo by Tyler Miller/Sportsfile

Kellie Harrington - Boxing

Ireland has long been a fine producer of pugilists, and boxers often make up the bulk of potential Irish success stories every four years. In fact, the sport is the source of half of all Irish Olympic medals. After winning gold in Tokyo, Kellie Harrington turned down any suggestion of turning pro, meaning that she’ll be returning to the squared circle looking to defend her reigning champion status – a feat even the great Katie Taylor couldn’t achieve in her days as an amateur. The Dubliner’s astonishing three-year unbeaten streak came to an end in April, but that doesn’t take away from the reality that Harrington will be one of the most feared opponents in the lightweight division in Paris.

World Champion boxer and Olympic bound Kellie Harrington. Pic Brian McEvoy

Paul O’Donovan - Rowing

Along with boxing, rowing has become one of Ireland’s flagship Olympic sports, with Skibbereen’s Paul O’Donovan the cream of the crop when it comes to Irish paddlers. He’ll be looking to earn himself a third Olympic medal, after famously winning silver with his brother Gary in 2016. A gold in Tokyo followed, with O’Donovan securing his status as one of the nation’s most accomplished athletes. He’ll be teaming up with fellow West Cork man Fintan McCarthy at the new, purpose-built Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium, with the duo garnering a reputation for being a formidable force in the lightweight double sculls.

9 September 2023; Fintan McCarthy, left, and Paul O'Donovan of Ireland celebrate after winning gold in the Lightweight Men's Double Sculls Final A during the 2023 World Rowing Championships at Ada Ciganlija regatta course on Sava Lake, Belgrade. Photo by Nikola Krstic/Sportsfile

Rhasidat Adeleke - Athletics

The 21-year old is being tipped as having real medal potential on the track this summer. A holder of a plethora of national records, including 200m, 300m and 400m, she’s already showcased her abilities on the big stage with a fourth-place finish in the final at last year’s World Championships in Budapest. She was also recently part of the record-setting Irish 400m relay team that won Gold at the European Championships in Rome. The Tallaght native has been a dominating force in the US College scene too, claiming NCAA championships, with four-time Olympic gold medallist Michael Johnson among her ever-growing list of admirers.

20 August 2022; Rhasidat Adeleke of Ireland competes in the Women's 4x400m Relay Final during day 10 of the European Championships 2022 at the Olympiastadion in Munich, Germany. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Rhys McClenaghan - Gymnastics

Ever since a disappointing (by his standards) seventh place finish in the Tokyo final last time out, Down’s Rhys McClenaghan has been busy solidifying his status as one of the best in the world in his discipline. A true flag-bearer for Irish gymnastics, he secured early Olympic qualification after he became a back-to-back gold medal winner at the world championships in Antwerp last October. His form has been red hot this year too, with the 24-year-old winning his third European Championship in Italy in April.

24 April 2024; Rhys McClenaghan of Ireland competes in the Men's Pommel Horse Exercise qualification subdivision 3 on day one of the 2024 Men's Artistic Gymnastics European Championships at Fiera di Rimini in Rimini, Italy. Photo by Filippo Tomasi/Sportsfile

Leona Maguire - Golf

On paper, there’s no other Olympic sport boasting as many Irish superstars as golf.  Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry will don the green jersey this July, while the ladies ranks are made up of Leona Maguire and Stephanie Meadow, who’ve represented Ireland in both Rio and Tokyo. 29-year-old Maguire has proved a trailblazer in the ladies game and the Cavan native remains the only Irish woman to win an LPGA championship. She’ll be calling on all her experience when she tees off at the stunning yet challenging Le Golf National course on the outskirts of the French capital this summer.

20 August 2023; Leona Maguire of Ireland plays from the fairway on the 9th hole during day four of the ISPS HANDA World Invitational presented by AVIV Clinics 2023 at Galgorm Castle Golf Club in Ballymena, Antrim. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile