Sonia O’Sullivan
IrelandathleteFemaleb. 19708.3Global Dominance: 0.00%Sonia O’Sullivan is a retired Irish middle-distance runner, renowned for her remarkable achievements in the 1990s, including winning a silver medal in the 5000 meters at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. She has made significant contributions to athletics, holding multiple national records and earning a reputation as one of Ireland's greatest athletes. O'Sullivan captured the hearts of fans with her powerful performances and tenacity on the track, particularly in the 1500 meters and 5000 meters events, and she remains an influential figure in the sport, inspiring many young athletes, including the current generation of runners.
Country presence
Recent news mentions
Sonia O’Sullivan holds the Irish national record in the 5,000m and was a two-time European champion.
Sarah Healy out to continue strong Irish 5,000m tradition at European Athletics Championships – The Irish TimesIreland· 2026-08-10
Sonia O’Sullivan pulled off the 5,000m-10,000m double at the European Championships in 1998.
It’s easy to get carried away about Ireland’s chances at the Europeans – The Irish TimesIreland· 2026-08-09
Sonia O’Sullivan's championship record was broken by her daughter Sophie.
Sophie O’Sullivan breaks her mother Sonia’s 31-year-old record in runaway 1,500m win – The Irish TimesIreland· 2026-07-27
Sonia O’Sullivan commented on Rhasidat Adeleke's return to racing.
What next for Rhasidat Adeleke as she looks to get her season back on track? – The Irish TimesIreland· 2026-07-10
Sonia O’Sullivan is noted as the first individual European champion before Ciara Mageean.
A memoir about athletics, cancer and identity – The Irish TimesIreland· 2026-06-22
Sonia O’Sullivan discussed how mini marathons became part of new women’s liberation.
Lidl’s €50 carbon-plated super shoes will have runners sprinting to the middle aisle – The Irish TimesIreland· 2026-03-06
Sonia O’Sullivan broke the world indoor record for 5,000m in January 1991.
The shifting psychology behind breaking a world record – The Irish TimesIreland· 2026-02-01
Sonia O’Sullivan learned to focus on modest goals after her disappointment at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
Arne Slot seeded a ‘loser effect’ in Liverpool. Here’s how to fix it – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-11-29
Sonia O’Sullivan is mentioned as a role model and inspiration for athletes in Ireland.
Booming club numbers is not all good news – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-11-09
The previous best Irish women’s finisher in New York was Sonia O’Sullivan, who finished in 12th place back in 2002.
Ireland’s Fionnuala McCormack finishes 10th in New York City Marathon – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-11-02
Sonia O'Sullivan believes Shane Ryan has crossed a line by signing up for the Enhanced Games.
‘I really hope it doesn’t take a fatality to bring us to our senses’ – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-10-18
Sonia O’Sullivan is one of the Irish women World athletics medallists that Kate O’Connor admires.
Kate O’Connor receives hero’s welcome at Dundalk homecoming – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-09-25
Sonia O'Sullivan is mentioned among the athletes providing analysis and commentary.
On rudeness, John Boyne and moaning ministers – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-09-23
Sonia O’Sullivan is one of the few Irish women to have won a World Indoor medal.
Kate O’Connor dreaming bigger again after perfect season ends in Tokyo – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-09-21
Sonia O’Sullivan also won 1,500m silver in 1993, then 5,000m gold in 1995.
Ireland’s Kate O’Connor secures stunning silver medal at World Championships – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-09-20
Sonia O’Sullivan won a silver medal in the 1,500m at the 1993 Championships.
Irish athletes’ performance at World Championships allows us to dream again – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-09-20
Sonia O’Sullivan won 1,500m silver in 1993, then 5,000m gold in 1995.
Kate O’Connor and Cian McPhillips look to turn big dreams into medals at World Championships – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-09-19
Sonia O’Sullivan is noted for finishing fourth in the Great North Run Half Marathon just 13 weeks after giving birth.
How Niamh Allen has combined motherhood with a sharp rise to the top of Irish women’s distance running – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-08-17
Sonia O’Sullivan is mentioned as a former record holder and a significant figure in Irish athletics.
European gold medallist Ciara Mageean diagnosed with cancer – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-07-04
Sonia O’Sullivan is one of the elite Irish sportswomen that Leona Maguire admires.
‘We came from a modest background. I don’t need a lot of money to keep me happy’ – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-07-03
O’Sullivan became only the fifth Irish woman to win an NCAA title, following in the strides of her famous mother Sonia.
Sophie O’Sullivan wins the NCAA 1,500m title in dominant style – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-06-15
O’Sullivan clocked 8:30.12 to win the 3,000 metres at the Zurich Golden League, the fastest time in Europe.
What on earth were China’s women runners on back in the 1990s? – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-05-31
Sonia O'Sullivan is a former Irish athlete whose experience at the Atlanta Olympics is compared to Ciara Mageean's struggles.
‘You do have to be selfish as an athlete, it’s the part I find least enjoyable... But no regrets’ – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-05-24
Sonia O’Sullivan is mentioned as a competitor for the title of Ireland's greatest sportswoman alongside Rachael Blackmore.
Rachael Blackmore’s retirement marks the exit of one of our finest sportspeople – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-05-13
Sonia O'Sullivan was part of the Irish women's 4x1,500m team that set a European record.
Ireland’s relay stars part of an ‘overnight’ success story stretching back to Ronnie Delany in the 1950s – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-05-10
Sonia O’Sullivan held the previous Irish women’s mile record before it was broken by Ciara Mageean.
Do we need to protect the limits of women’s distance running? – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-05-04
Sonia O’Sullivan provides studio analysis for the World Athletics Championships.
World Athletics Championships in Tokyo to return to RTÉ for the first time this century – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-04-24
Sonia O’Sullivan is regarded as one of Ireland’s greatest sportspersons, known for her numerous medals in athletics.
who is Ireland’s greatest ever sportsperson? – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-04-23
Sonia O’Sullivan is mentioned for her impressive collection of medals in athletics.
Who is the greatest Irish sports star of them all? – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-04-15
Sonia O'Sullivan discusses the case of Ben Connor and the costs of representing his country.
GAA says goodbye to a favourite son – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-04-04
