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Better late than never! Olive Loughnane finally receives 2009 World Championship gold

‘It was great to share the moment with all the Irish fans here.’

OLIVE LOUGHNANE THIS evening received her gold medal for winning the 2009 World Championship 20km race walk at a ceremony in Amsterdam.

European Athletic Championships 2016 - Day One - Olympic Stadium PA Wire / Press Association Images PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

The Cork athlete originally finished second behind Olga Kaniskina but was subsequently upgraded to gold after the Russian was stripped of her medal.

The 40-year-old, who retired from athletics in 2013, received her medal from IAAF President Sebastian Coe at a special presentation at the European Championships.

“There’s value in sentiment and it was great to share the moment with all the Irish fans here,” an emotional Loughnane said after the raising of the Irish flag and a rendition of Amhrán na bhFiann.

European Athletic Championships 2016 - Day One - Olympic Stadium PA Wire / Press Association Images PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Loughnane becomes Ireland’s fourth athletics world champion after Eamonn Coghlan, Sonia O’Sullivan and Rob Heffernan.

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    Mute CHIBOLLOX
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    Mar 25th 2013, 2:18 PM

    Sorry Best was far superior etc

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    Mute Jamie O Sullivan
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    Mar 25th 2013, 2:56 PM

    Good luck on your journey, only need to change one thing to make it work.

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    Mar 25th 2013, 4:40 PM

    good player, not a great player. great character though!

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    Mute Alan Dunne
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    Mar 25th 2013, 5:54 PM

    For some strange reason i’m dyin for a drink right now!

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    Mar 25th 2013, 2:14 PM

    Gazza was a far superior footballer for starters and his women were much better looking.

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