Ronnie Delany crosses the line to win gold in the 1,500m at the Melbourne Olympic Games in 1956. Photograph: IOC/AllsportIn 2008, an updated version of a book entitled Faster Higher Stronger traced the fortunes of Irish athletes that had competed at the Olympic Games. Chapter five opens with a description of Ronnie Delany’s homecoming a few weeks after winning the 1,500m gold medal at the Melbourne Games in 1956. Olympic gold medal winner Ronnie Delany died on Wednesday, aged 91. Not until London 2012 would more individual Irish athletes win medals at an Olympic Games.

Source: The Irish Times March 13, 2026 09:00 UTC