Tokyo Olympics 2021 – Michelle Smith de Bruin hails Irish rowing heroes and calls gold medal wins her ‘proudest moment’
MICHELLE SMITH de BRUIN has congratulated Paul O'Donovan and Fintan McCarthy for their Olympic gold medal win - while fondly remembering her 1996 wins.
The controversial swimmer took home three gold medals and one bronze in Atlanta - despite accusations of doping which she has repeatedly denied.
Smith de Bruin was handed a four year ban for tampering with her urine sample but was allowed keep her Olympic medals as she never tested positive for a banned substance.
O'Donovan and McCarthy this morning became the first rowers ever to win Olympic gold for Ireland after winning the men's lightweight double sculls.
As Smith de Bruin's records still stand they become the seventh and eighth people to win gold at the Olympics while representing Ireland.
And the swimmer congratulated the two this morning while talking about the pride she still holds in those 1996 victories.
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In a statement released to Liveline she said: "I just want to congratulate our brilliant rowers, Fintan McCarthy and Paul O'Donovan, on their wonderful achievement in becoming Ireland's newest Olympic champions. What a stunning performance.
"Twenty five years ago this week I became the first Irish woman to win an Olympic gold medal. By the end of that week in Atlanta I had become a triple Olympic champion.
"It was the culmination of 17 years training and dedication to my sport.
"Standing on the podium, watching the tricolour being raised and listening to Amhran Na Bhfiann was and still is the proudest moment of my life.
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"Twenty five years have passed and people still stop to tell me where they were when I won my medals.
"I will always be incredibly proud of what I achieved in Atlanta and remain touched by the level of support still shown to me by the people of Ireland.
"Michelle Smith de Bruin, triple Olympic champion 1996."
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O'Donovan and McCarthy have received tonnes of praise after their triumph with President Michael D Higgins labelling them an 'inspiration'.
McCarthy's parents Sue and Tom also said the pair were inspirational while saying they felt 'overwhelmed' after watching their son win the Olympic gold.
His brother Jake, who is part of the Skibbereen rowing club, crashed the interview to celebrate his brother's amazing achievement live on TV.