Olympic runner Phil Healy did the nation proud in Paris in the last few weeks – but now she’s dealing with the emotional comedown.
The Cork athlete ran in the 4x400m relay alongside Sophie Becker, Sharlene Mawdsley and Rhasidat Adeleke, finishing fourth.
The team’s speed of 3 minutes and 19 seconds would have secured them a Silver medal in every other Olympic final except for 1988.
Ms Healy told The Anton Savage Show it’s been a “hectic” week since returning to Ireland – filled with support from the nation.
“It's been a great time for 400-metre sprinting in Ireland and to come away as fourth in an Olympic final is massive for an Irish squad.”
She said she and the rest of Team Ireland were in a “bubble” during the Olympics – and they were “blown away” by the huge homecoming that welcomed them last Monday.
“Like 25,000 people turned up - we were not expecting that at all,” she said.
Phil Healy of Team Ireland receives the baton from Rhasidat Adeleke during the women's 4x400 relay final. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile“Even the travelling supporters in the stand in Paris were absolutely crazy.
“Rhasidat mentioned in one of the interviews that it felt like we were in Morton Stadium in Dublin.
“You see little kids with bows in their hair, you see adults, they're saying that they're getting up, getting moving.
“And hopefully we can inspire younger kids to join the sport or stay with the sport.”
The 'Olympic blues'
Despite the huge pride returning from the Olympics, Ms Healy said there are definitely some lows after three years of training.
“Not going to lie, the comedown is definitely real,” she said.
“Sometimes you wonder how can the highest high also be one of the biggest lows.
“You were chasing something for so long - it's been a three-year cycle this time off the back of Tokyo - and you're training day in, day out for this Olympic Games.
Rhasidat Adeleke, Sharlene Mawdsley, Sophie Becker and Phil Healy following the women's 4x400 relay final at the Stade de France during the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France. Image: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile“Then I suppose we perform so well, and you come home and you're like ‘OK, now what do I do?’.”
Ms Healy said, however, that the emotional comedown is “normal” and the next step is “refocusing” on the next plan.
“I think in general, [there are] post-Olympic blues - a lot of people are feeling it as it's not on television anymore.
“But we have the Paralympic Games starting very shortly, so hopefully we will have the full support behind that team as well.”
Healy's next plans
Ms Healy said she is “definitely postponing her retirement” following the team’s Olympic performance.
She plans to take the next month off to enjoy the off-season before getting back into training in mid-to-late September.
“My diet has consisted of cream eggs and crisps for the moment," she said. “It's totally needed to let your body just fully relax and switch off.”
In the new year, Ms Healy and the Irish athletics team will compete in the European Indoor Championships and the World Indoor Championships.
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