O'Donovan will become the first Irish athlete to medal at three Olympics if the star lightweight sculls duo finish in the top three, but back to back golds is their aim
It was during the months before the Tokyo Games that it hit Paul O'Donovan. He wasn't rowing for Ireland for a bagful of medals, but for the joy of it.
He does have a bagful of them. His Olympic silver with his brother Gary in Rio and the gold he won with Fintan McCarthy in Tokyo top a haul that includes multiple podium-topping Worlds and Europeans performances. Either way, this will be the last time this special partnership will compete in lightweight double sculls. It is the end of the line for this weight division at the Games - the pair are already looking at joining the heavyweights for LA in four years' time.
"It will be a tough race," he predicted. "Italy are fast starters, Greece are fast starters. The Swiss are fast off the start and they hold it a long way out.
Paul O'donovan Fintan Mccarthy Rowing Gary O'donovan
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