Ireland’s Olympic success will not necessarily spark an increase in sports participation across the island, Shane Coleman has warned.

Team Ireland has returned with three gold and three bronze medals from Paris so far, equalling their greatest-ever medal haul from London in 2012.

Kellie Harrington is guaranteed to surpass that tonight with either a silver or gold medal in the Women’s 60kg boxing final, taking place just after 10pm.

Other medal hopefuls for the remainder of the competition include 400m star Rashidat Adeleke and the Women's 4x400m relay team, which includes the likes of Sharlene Mawdsley and Sophie Becker.

Kellie Harrington following her semi-final win against Beatriz Ferreira in the 2024 Paris Olympics., 03/08/2024. Image: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

While Shane Coleman hailed the success of this year’s athletes, he said it may not be the turning point for Ireland’s Olympic fortunes that people think it is.

“I don't want to be negative about it because I've really enjoyed the Olympics,” he said. “It's been fantastic and everybody is feeling good about it – but research would suggest it doesn’t make a difference

“If you look at Britain hosting the Olympics in 2012 and their success, everyone thought it would inspire a generation.

“But a decade on, the percentage of five to ten-year-olds who’d taken up sport was exactly what it was prior to 2012."

'I'm not sure it lasts'

Shane said he is “not sure” if success at one tournament breeds success for the next.

“I don’t think it makes a huge difference,” he said.

“People think there will be boys and girls starting sports everywhere but I’m not sure it lasts and I don’t think the research backs it up.

“I’m not trying to be negative; I think our success is brilliant and that we should invest in sports and sportspeople.

"I’m not sure if you get an incredible return from Olympic sports.”

Future success

The Newstalk Breakfast host said it was important not to get carried away with Ireland’s hopes for future success.

"It’s fantastic and all, I’m not trying to rain on anyone’s parade but I want to add a note of reality,” said Shane.

“The facts are - and the studies show - that it doesn’t lead to increased participation in sport.

“But it still goes to show that investment in facilities is good; I still think that’s worth doing.

“It’s a conversation we should probably have but we should probably have that conversation away from the glow of the medals.”

Rhasidat Adeleke of Team Ireland after winning the women's 400m round 1 at the Stade de France during the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

Shane hailed the future potential of one Irish athlete in particular from the Games.

“Yesterday was the first day in six days we didn’t win a medal, but we had an extraordinary performance from Rhasidat Adeleke in the 400m,” he said.

“I think she’s going to be unstoppable; she’s just incredible and she’s going to be a global superstar. I hope she wins a medal this time around.”

A blow to Ireland’s additional medal challenges came last night when it was announced that Ciara Mageean, the reigning European 1,500m champion, has been forced to drop out of the Olympics through injury.