Sonia: I feel for Olympic athletes in training plan limbo

Irish legend O’Sullivan says lockdown creates an unprecedented dilemma

- KATIE GALLAGHER

SONIA O’Sullivan said she feels for heartbroken Olympic hopefuls missing out on their dreams this year as she reflects on her own glory days.

However, looking ahead at an uncertain future, the legendary Irish runner admitted she’s questioned whether the gruelling training is worth the rewards.

Having emerged from her lockdown base in Melbourne, Australia, to travel to her home in Cork last week, the mum-of-two revealed she has spent her spare time looking back at old training diaries.

Describing herself as a “maniac” back them, Sonia, 50, told Irish Daily Mirror: “It’s like a whole different life, a whole different person and I can’t even believe I used to train like I did.

“I was a bit of a maniac, I was out there running as hard as I could every day for as long as I could.