Sonia O'Sullivan, Olympic Medalist, Trainer, Broadcaster and Author

Sonia was born in Cobh, County Cork, where she spent many years running around the hills of Cobh before embarking on an Athletics Scholarship to Villanova University. Sonia followed a trail of Irish athletes to Villanova where she graduated in 1992 with a degree in Accountancy ahead of her first Olympic Games in Barcelona.  

In Barcelona Sonia established herself on the athletics scene finishing in 4th place over 3000m and this was the launch pad of a very successful athletics career that saw Sonia compete in four Olympic Games including a silver medal winning performance in Sydney 2000 over 5000m. 

The Olympic Silver Medal capped a string of success’s by Sonia which, included, Three World Championship Gold Medals, Three European Championship Gold Medals, Four World Records and Sonia still holds the World record over 2000m along with every Irish record in the books in distances ranging from 800m to half marathon.

Sonia has also been a familiar face on RTÉ television throughout the Beijing Olympics in 2008 along with regular appearances on RTÉ Sport analysing European and World Championship Athletic Events. In 2008, Sonia filmed a documentary entitled Sonia’s Last Lap which gave an insight into the mind of a Champion coming towards the end of her career. 

Sonia has written two books, Running to Stand Still and Sonia, My Story, this frank autobiography takes us behind the scenes of international athletics and behind the mask of a brilliant, vulnerable sportswoman.

Sonia lives in Melbourne, Australia with her daughters Ciara and Sophie. Ireland will always be home to Sonia and she has spent a lot of time commuting from Australia recently in her role as Chef de Mission for Team Ireland at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Even though retired from Olympic competition, Sonia continues to enjoy running and loves to share her wealth knowledge with young athletes starting out in their careers and hoping to follow in Sonia’s footsteps.

Sonia has taken part in a number of marathon challenges in her support of Irish Guide Dogs and Leukaemia Research Foundation, most recently competing with an Irish Team running, cycling, sailing and rowing over 1000miles in aid of Sport Relief.

The following is a list of Sonia's proudest achievements:

• 4 time Irish Olympian
• Barcelona 1992, 4th place 3000m
• Atlanta 1996, 5000m finalist
• Sydney 2000, Silver Medalist 5000m
• Athens 2004, 5000m finalist
• Current World record holder over 2000m, 5:25.36, Edinburgh 19
• 3 times World Champion
• 1995, 5000m
• 1998 World Cross Country long & short course
• 3 times European Champion
• 1994, 3000m
• 1998 5000m & 10,000m
• 12 times All-Ireland Champion
• Currently holds 10 Irish records in every distance from 800m to half marathon
• Dublin City Marathon Winner 2000