David Gillick praised for ‘immense work’ at Paris Olympics

The former Ireland track and field star has been behind the microphone during RTÉ's coverage of the Olympic Games.

Former Irish athlete David Gillick is getting a lot of love on social media for his supportive and 'empathetic' interviews with athletes at the Olympic Games in Paris.

The 41-year-old represented the nation in Beijing in 2008 and once held the record as Ireland's fastest man.

Now, some are referring to him as Ireland's 'soundest' man for the way in which he has been conducting interviews with athletes in Paris after a triumphant win or devastating loss.

If anyone understands the weight of expectation some of these athletes are carrying on their shoulders, it's Gillick, who lost out on the World Championship title in 2009.

RTÉ viewers took to social media on Friday night to heap praise on the Ballinteer native for his kindness and composure when interviewing Irish sprinter Rhasidat Adeleke.

The Dubliner finished fourth in the women’s 400m final in Paris yesterday evening, narrowly missing out on an Olympic medal.

After the race, Adeleke told Gillick: "Things aren’t always going to go your way but it’s about how you bounce back and how you take this and make your future better.

"I am going to take this hurt and disappointment and keep working. I’m as hungry as ever and hopefully in the future there’ll be more podiums."

The perfect time for @DavidGillick to be the man at trackside. pic.twitter.com/VCix8m5c8y

— Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) August 9, 2024

Gillick attempted to comfort the 21-year-old and said: "You're relatively new to the event, let's be honest," and added that it was a race full of really strong athletes with a lot of strength in depth.

Signing off the interview, Gillick told Adeleke: "Well done. It's good to see you smile."

Likewise, following yesterday's 100m hurdles semi-final, where Limerick's Sarah Lavin finished sixth after a strong start to the race, Gillick showed his class yet again.

When Lavin apologised to everyone watching at home for not winning a medal, the former runner corrected her, saying: "You don't apologise because a 12:69 is nothing to be ashamed of. It's a really good time.

"Your event is really strong. You have to be proud of what you have achieved. It's a long road to even get here."

"I have to be immensely proud... just today I'm not good enough " Sarah Lavin felt the eighth hurdle was costly in her 110m semi-final
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Gillick's ability to comfort the deflated athletes has led to some people calling for him to 'receive a medal' on social media.

His current employer RTÉ, paid tribute to the reporter on Instagram, writing: "An appreciation post for the brilliant @davidgillick.

"If being sound was an Olympic sport, he’d win gold."

An X user wrote: "A word for the immense work David Gillick has been doing in Paris.

"Very few in the game better at what he does - no matter whether he’s chatting to the familiar Irish faces or the mega names from overseas. Really wonderful stuff."

Others are calling for Ireland's state broadcaster to give him a full-time job on the network, considering Gillick only currently comes on board whenever the Olympics comes around.

Another user commented: "What an Olympics it has been for @DavidGillick on @RTEsport. He has got the tone absolutely pitch perfect in each and every one of his interviews whether it has been success or failure for the athletes in question."

"David Gillick deserves a medal himself for how he’s done this Olympics," another posted.

One other user added: "In future, I will only speak to David Gillick after every disappointing moment."