Rio 2016: The best thing about the Olympics is Paddy Barnes’ Twitter activity
Sport

Rio 2016: The best thing about the Olympics is Paddy Barnes’ Twitter activity

WITH the Olympics well underway, the entertainment is in full swing, but one Team Ireland member is threatening to steal the show away from the television cameras.

Double bronze medallist Paddy Barnes is hoping for third time lucky in his quest for a gold medal, and on the evidence of his Twitter feed the Belfast boxer is in relaxed spirits.

Posting selfies with some of world’s biggest sports stars, the light flyweight couldn’t resist poking fun at Rory McIlroy when stumbling across tennis ace Caroline Wozniacki, the golfer’s ex-girlfriend.

His Belfast wit is evident in almost every Tweet he sends, from taking the mick out of race walkers, to his patriot preparations for Team Ireland meetings.

Good humoured sarcasm is also a theme, whether it's pretending not to know who his fellow flag bearers were at the opening ceremony to claiming golf superstar Rickie Fowler asked him for the selfie.

Barnes fights on Monday at 3pm and is considered one of Ireland’s best hopes of going on to win a gold medal.