Ronnie Delany, Michael Carruth and John Treacy were all ignored by the runner-turned-politician as he plumped for former swimmer Michelle De Bruin. Yep, we know.
The battle for the reputation of former swimmer Michele De Bruin continues to rage almost 16 years after she won three gold and a bronze at the Atlanta Olympics. There was some talk over whether she should have been involved in the recent Olympic torch relay and now an athletics hero has spoken out in favour of De Bruin.
Despite the suspicions of many, and the fact that De Bruin was found guilty of tampering with a urine sample back in 1998, she has never tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs and retains her four medals. For that reason, Coghlan said in Athlone that she should be regarded as this country’s greatest Olympian.
“There are athletes around the world that are tainted with positive tests and won medals who were never castigated in their home countries like Michelle was,” said Coghlan in quotes carried in today’s Irish Times.
“Let’s remember she never – ever – tested positive, particularly during her Olympic year. If you look at the record books, she is down as winning four medals at the Atlanta Olympics and it is because of that that I have to give her credit as Ireland’s best ever Olympian.
“There are a lot of people who would agree with me but there are also a lot of people who would disagree with me,” he said.
We’re sure there are and a bit like Saipan, the Michelle De Bruin case is one that still inflames passions here. It will be interesting to see what the reaction to this latest defence of De Bruin brings.
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