Fintan McCarthy and Paul O’Donovan claim back-to-back Olympic gold for Ireland in Paris
The pair won lightweight men’s double sculls gold in Tokyo three years ago
Ireland rowers Fintan McCarthy and Paul O’Donovan completed back-to-back Olympic titles at Paris 2024.
The pair stormed to lightweight men’s double sculls gold at Tokyo three years ago and repeated the feat with a brilliant performance at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium.
The pair had qualified with the fastest time, but trailed Greece and Italy crews in the early stages.
But they eased past them before halfway and kept pushing to move away over the last 500 metres.
McCarthy and O’Donovan crossed the finishing line in six minutes 10.99 seconds, over two seconds clear of silver medallists Italy with Greece taking bronze.