Ronnie Delany, an Olympic gold medallist for Ireland over 1500m in 1956, has died at the age of 91. In 1961, he also won gold over 800m at the World University Games in Sofia. “I was saddened to hear of the death of Irish Olympic champion and running great Ronnie Delany today. Ronnie, who won gold for Ireland in the 1956 Melbourne games, was a role model to athletes at home and abroad,” Minister O'Donovan said. His 1956 gold medal win inspired generations of Irish athletes to take up their spikes and get running and was the foundation for the success of such athletes as Sonia O’Sullivan and John Treacy.

Source: Irish Independent March 12, 2026 18:19 UTC