Ireland's state broadcaster, RTÉ, has shared key viewing figures from their Olympic coverage of the 2024 Paris Games, and they make for interesting reading.
Ireland ended the Games with their best medal tally of seven, including four gold medals in different disciplines.
The Olympics left a huge impression on people back home, with millions tuning in to watch Ireland's finest athletes reign supreme. For example, 1.4 million people watched Kellie Harrington win her second Olympic gold in the women's 60 kg event, making it the most-watched event on Irish television.
Coming in second, Rhasidat Adeleke's 4th place finish in the women’s 400m final attracted a peak audience of 926,000 viewers, followed closely by the women’s 4x400m relay final, which peaked at 910,000 viewers.
Mona McSharry's bronze medal swim on July 29 was watched by 621,000 people, while 429,000 viewers tuned in to see Fintan McCarthy and Paul O'Donovan win their second straight gold medals in the lightweight rowing double sculls.
Dublin , Ireland, August 12, 2024: Team Ireland members Mona McSharry, Rhys McClenaghan, Daire Lynch and Fintan McCarthy, from left, are welcomed home by supporters upon their arrival at Dublin Airport before making their way to a homecoming reception at the GPO in O'Connell St, celebrating their remarkable achievements at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. (Photo By Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)Additionally, 790,000 people watched Daniel Wiffen's bronze-medal swim in the 1,500-metre freestyle, adding to the gold medal he won in the 800-metre freestyle.
Finally, a peak audience of 629,000 watched gymnast Rhys McClenaghan secure gold on the pommel horse.
RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst said, "The scale, quality, and dynamism of the coverage are "a testament to the dedication of teams across RTÉ and to the unique mission of public service media in guaranteeing free-to-air access for national sporting occasions such as this."
He added: "From the opening ceremony to the homecoming, our job at RTÉ was to ensure the public in Ireland could enjoy and experience all the excitement and spirit of Paris 2024, bringing every moment to our audiences, and in so doing offering a powerful national showcase for the incredible journey of Team Ireland’s 133 athletes - competing across a wider array of sports than ever before - on every platform, around the clock.
"I’d like to congratulate Team Ireland on its exceptional success - Team RTÉ is proud to have played its part in your remarkable Olympic Games."
