Sonia O'Sullivan

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games • Other
SexFemale
Full nameSonia•O'Sullivan (-Bideau)
Used nameSonia•O'Sullivan
Born28 November 1969 in Cobh, Cork (IRL)
Measurements175 cm / 55 kg
AffiliationsBallymore Cobh AC, (IRL) / Melbourne Track Club, Melbourne (AUS)
NOC Ireland
Medals OG
Gold 0
Silver 1
Bronze 0
Total 1

Biography

Sonia O’Sullivan was a distance runner who competed in four Olympic Games for Ireland, winning a silver medal in the 5,000 metres at Sydney in 2000. O’Sullivan won the 1995 World title in that event and in 1998 won World Cross-Country titles over both the short and long courses. During her career O’Sullivan set Irish records for every distance from 1,500 to 10,000 metres.

O’Sullivan attended Villanova University in the United States, winning five NCAA Championships, with wins in the 3,000 metres and cross-country in 1990-91, and the indoor 5K in 1991. She was also a six-time champion at the Penn Relays. O’Sullivan settled in Australia with her husband, Nic Bideau. A life-sized statue of O’Sullivan was placed in her hometown of Cobh, Ireland.

Personal Bests: 1500 – 3:58.85 (1995); 3000 – 8:21.64 (1994); 5000 – 14:41.02 (2000); 10000 – 30:47.59 (2002).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1992 Summer Olympics Athletics IRL Sonia O'Sullivan
1,500 metres, Women (Olympic) 11 h2 r2/3
3,000 metres, Women (Olympic) 4
1996 Summer Olympics Athletics IRL Sonia O'Sullivan
1,500 metres, Women (Olympic) 10 h2 r1/3
5,000 metres, Women (Olympic) AC r2/2
2000 Summer Olympics Athletics IRL Sonia O'Sullivan
5,000 metres, Women (Olympic) 2 Silver
10,000 metres, Women (Olympic) 6
2004 Summer Olympics Athletics IRL Sonia O'Sullivan
5,000 metres, Women (Olympic) 14

Other participations

Games Role NOC As
2000 Summer Olympics Flagbearer at the Opening Ceremony IRL Sonia O'Sullivan

Special Notes