Rob Heffernan will finally receive his bronze medal from the London 2012 Olympic games next month at a ceremony in his native Cork — the first time an Olympic medal will be officially presented in Ireland.
Mr Heffernan finished fourth in the men’s 50km walk in the London games, but was promoted to third place last March after the Court of Arbitration for Sport disqualified Russian gold medalist, Sergey Kirdyapkin, for doping violations.
Now Mr Heffernan is set to finally receive his prize at an event in Cork City Hall on Thursday, November 3, at 7pm.
“This is always what I dreamt about, being presented with an Olympic medal,” said Mr Heffernan.
“It would of course have been wonderful to have received it in London but now to receive it on Irish soil in my home city of Cork, with my own family, friends, supporters on the 100 year anniversary of 1916, is a fitting and very special way for Irish people to celebrate Irish Olympic sporting success,” he said.
The medal is set to be presented by Willie O’Brien, acting president of the Olympic Council of Ireland.
Mr O’Brien said the event is set to be a very special occasion.
“It is the first time an Olympic medal will be presented on Irish soil,” he said.
“It will be a very proud occasion of the Olympic movement in Ireland, Athletics Ireland, and of course for Rob, his family, friends, and supporters,” he said.
Admission to the ceremony will be open to ticket-holders only. People who wish to attend are asked to email their name, address, and telephone number to robsmedal@corkcity.ie
The first 400 applications will receive a ticket admitting two to the presentation ceremony.