Malahide man’s Olympic dream comes true

A NORTHSIDE athlete’s dream will come true this week when he becomes one of the first people in the world to run in London’s Olympic Stadium.

Malahide local Michael Fennell won a lucky draw competition to win a place on the 100-metre starting line where Usain Bolt will thread when the Olympic games begin in August.

Michael Fennell (51), who works for An Post, is an avid runner and has completed some 30 marathons worldwide over the last three decades.

He had exhausted all other avenues of getting a ticket for the Olympics prior to last week when his name was picked at random from all entries of Powerade’s On Your Marks event, which took place at Morton Stadium, Santry.

“It’s a dream come true to be able to run in the Olympic Stadium before the games kick off,

? Michael told Northside People.

“It’s an experience that very few people in the world will attain and be able to lay claim to.

“I tried the ticket lottery for everything from athletics to swimming but had no luck and now to be one of the first four Irish people to run on the track in the Olympic Stadium is unbelievable.

“It’ll be a wonderful memory to have especially as running has been such a big part of my life for so long and I’m sure as the years go by it’s a memory that can always be embellished.

?

Michael said this week’s 100 metre run in the Olympic Stadium is the icing on the cake for his decades involved in running which are now drawing to an end.

“My body’s breaking down now at this stage because there’s only so much wear and tear that it will take,

? he added.

Michael, a member of the Civil Service Harriers Athletic Club based in the Phoenix Park, will travel to London with his daughter Aisling.