Olive Loughnane competed in the 20km walk at the World Championships in Berlin in August 2009. She was awarded the silver medal. Rob Heffernan missed out on a medal when he placed fourth in the 50km walk at the London Olympic Games in 2012.

Both these Irish athletes trained hard and long to compete at the highest level. Only to be beaten on their day. But not as it turns out beaten fairly. Athletes who competed against them were using drugs to gain an unfair advantage. Heffernan and Loughnane were pushed down the placings and the results they deserved were taken by the cheats.

Thankfully the cheats were found out. Their deception worked only so long. The cheating athletes have now been disqualified.

Loughnane and Heffernan’s results have been upgraded to the places they deserve. Olive Loughnane is now a world champion, while Rob Heffernan is to be awarded an Olympic bronze medal.

Denied the recognition they were due when they competed our congratulations should be extra loud now.

Congratulations Olive Loughnane and Rob Heffernan.