On this day, 65 years ago, the Irish Olympic athlete Ronald Michael Delaney won the gold medal in the Melbourne Olympics 1500 meters event.
Ronnie Delany is perhaps Ireland’s definitive Olympic legend. Winning what is regarded as the most talent-packed 1500m final in Games history at the Melbourne Summer Olympics in 1956, his legend was immediately secured. Sixty-five years on, the moment has lost none of its magic.
Athletics fans still talk about the final of the 1500m with a hushed reverence. “It was probably the greatest field ever assembled,” said Ronnie Delany, the man who won it. “And it’s still a lovely race to watch. It was so exciting. In fact, the guy who was meant to be ringing the bell for the last lap was so excited watching it, he forgot to do it. The field was packed, and the race began on that last lap.”
While Ireland has not had a track and field Olympic gold medalist since Delany, he has hope for the future and wishes all of those competing at future Games the very best of luck.
'Look, that man in the green shirt, where did he come from? It's the Irish miler, Ron Delany. He's flying now...fourth...third...second now...he's actually sprinting, he doesn't seem tired in the least bit.'
Fun fact; After retiring from competitions, Delany worked in the United States for the Irish airline Aer Lingus.