Olympic gold medallist Delany dies aged 91

Irish Olympic 1500m gold medallist Ronnie Delany has died aged 91.

Delany made history when he won gold in the event at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, aged just 21.

The Arklow runner produced a late surge to win in an Olympic record time of 3:41.2 as he picked up Ireland's first track and field Olympic gold medal.

Delany also claimed bronze in the 1500m at the 1958 European Athletics Championships in Stockholm and won an 800m gold at the World University Games in Sofia in 1961.

He later served as President of the Irish Olympians Association and was granted the Freedom of the City of Dublin in 2006.

Delany opened a statue of himself in 2019 which stands in Delany Park in Arklow.

Lochlann Walsh, President of the Olympic Federation of Ireland paid tribute to Delany.

"Ronnie Delany was one of Ireland's greatest Olympians and a defining figure in Irish sporting history. His extraordinary victory in Melbourne in 1956 remains one of the most iconic moments in Team Ireland's history. At this time our thoughts and prayers are with Ronnie's family," he said,

CEO of the Olympic Federation of Ireland, Peter Sherrard added: "Ronnie made an immense contribution to Irish sport and to the Olympic movement over many decades.

"Through his leadership of the Irish Olympians Association and his continued advocacy for athletes, he inspired generations and remained a proud ambassador for Team Ireland throughout his life. Ronnie famously said, 'Once an Olympian, Always an Olympian,' and truly represented the best of us. May he rest in peace."