Ireland's Taoiseach, Simon Harris, has claimed that Ireland's Olympic heroes of 2024 will inspire future generations.
The Irish Olympic squad returned home to a huge public civic reception at the GPO in Dublin on Monday afternoon.
The Irish team, which consisted of 64 women and 69 men, has returned with their best medal tally ever—7 in total—including 4 gold medals in different sports.
Daniel Wiffen, 23, won a bronze in the men's 1,500-metre final and a gold medal in the 800-metre category.
Rhys McClenaghan reigned supreme in his pommel horse final, while Kellie Harrington retained her Olympic gold in the women's 60 kg boxing event.
Skibbereen rowers Paul O'Donovan and Fintan McCarthy won gold in the men's lightweight double sculls, and Mona McSharry won bronze in the 100-metre breaststroke. Rowers Philip Doyle and Daire Lynch also won bronze.
Harris, speaking at the reception, said that the team that went over would have a lasting impact on the future generation of Irish sports stars.
"They have done us so proud. I was just saying backstage that there has been very little work done in this country for the last fortnight because, at every opportunity we've had, we've all been glued to our screens," Harris said.
Dublin , Ireland, August 12, 2024: Team Ireland member Rhys McClenaghan, upon his arrival at Dublin Airport, makes 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 Harry Murphy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)"On your behalf, I just want to say a massive thank you to these men and women who have inspired our nation. Go raibh míle maith agat.
"We've talked a lot about lighting flames, and what these men and women have done is light a flame in so many little tiny kids ... who now believe they too can be the very best in the world; they can represent Ireland; they can win medals.
"That's what they've done, and what we will do now is invest in sport because we believe in these athletes, and that's going to be the legacy of these Paris games."
This comes a day after Taoiseach Simon Harris announced that the Irish government would be investing €400 million in sports, indicating a willingness to support the long-term future of Irish sport following the Olympics, and it is not just talk for the sake of talking.
“We have decided to have the largest ever sports capital fund, which will be money given to clubs, big and small, right across Ireland next month,” Mr. Harris added.
“We have given the go-ahead for the badminton court development at our national stadium.
“Let me be really clear: there has to be a legacy from the Paris Games.
“There has to be further investment in sport, and I am determined that we lift the scale of our ambition when it comes to backing sport, backing athletes, and particularly investing more in terms of our elite performance training as well.”
