London"s calling for Westmeath"s finest

The XXIXth Olympiad came to a spectacular conclusion in Beijing last Sunday and a happy-go-lucky atmosphere prevailed in the Bird"s Nest Stadium. Actual medallists, those with hard luck stories and many simply out of their depth at the very highest level of world sport, danced and hugged. Phone numbers were exchanged and many promises were made to keep in touch across the globe (most of which will be broken).From an Irish persepective, Sports Minister, Martin Cullen will smile and back-slap at Dublin Airport to welcome home the heroes and a host of hangers-on will push and shove their way to the best slots in countless photo opportunities. But are the members of Team Ireland heroes in the true meaning of the word? Yes, certainly, silver medallist Kenny Egan, a Captain Fantastic if ever there was one, and his colleagues Paddy Barnes and Darren Sutherland who collected bronze. Eoin Rheinisch, Paul Hession and Olive Loughnane are others who can also hold their heads particularly high, even if one suspects that we would be subjected to Roy Keane growls if the Sunderland manager knew we were happy celebrating the "also ran" tag.Sadly, Equestrianism, which is popularly associated with the well-to-do classes has again besmirched Ireland"s good sporting name, while Boxing, long associated with dingy and smoky back-street gyms, has again provided a sports-mad nation with its only tangible awards from the Chinese sporting extravaganza.From all reports, the few Westmeath people fortunate to have attended the Olympic Games had a fantastic time. Organisation was exemplary and the locals were courteous at all times. Four years from now, the XXXth staging will be held as close as we will ever see to this small island of ours (let"s be realistic). Indeed, it is conceivable that accommodation won"t even be an issue as day-trippers will jet over and back to London. Sebastian Coe and his team have a hard act to follow (an almost impossible act, in actual fact) to better the amazing show we have witnessed on our screens for the past few weeks. The Lake County was represented with pride by three outstanding Mullingar sportsmen. Indeed, the general concensus is that Johnny Joyce was Ireland"s unluckiest competitor and both he and his fellow pugilist, John Joe Nevin, had the distinction of being beaten by the eventual gold medallists in their respective divisions. Marathon man, Martin Fagan was desperately unlucky to suffer a recurrence of an Achilles injury but, like the two boxers, he has youth on his side.So it is very possible that all three local lads will be popping across the Irish Sea in 2012 for another shot at medals. Who knows, they may have other Westmeath colleagues? Our triumvirate can hold their heads high. We hope that individually and collectively, Johnny, John Joe and Martin will get the credit and recognition they deserve locally, on their return. Already we can visualise both the tricolour and the maroon and white flag draped around Lord Nelson in Trafalgar Square, some four years from now.