They have competed in the summer Olympics since 1924. 26 medals were won by Irish athletes, including eight gold medals.
Swimmer Michelle Smith (de Bruin) (pictured) has three gold medals, the most of any Irish athlete in the summer games. All were at Atlanta 1996, in the 200m individual medley and in the 400m IM and freestyle. But it came with controversy. Smith originally tested positive for an illegal substance, illegal to WADA standards. In the 400m freestyle final, she was a last minute entry and won. USA Swimming protested the result, but the result stood. A couple years later, she was suspended for four years by the WADA for tampering with a positive substance, a move that ended her career.
The other multiple gold medalist from Ireland is Pat O'Callghan (pictured). O'Callaghan won two gold medals in the hammer throw-at Amsterdam 1928 and again at Los Angeles 1932.
As of now 39 Irish athletes will head to London and compete in seven events-including athletics, swimming, boxing and cycling.
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