A FLASHSTORM of bad news and salty tears broke over the Iris in Atlanta yesterday. A week which has seen the official party riven by rows and mired in controversy reached its lowest points when Sonia O'Sullivan's Olympics ended prematurely and Marie McMahon of Clare tested positive for drugs.
O'Sullivan, hoping to have recuperated from the stomach bug which robbed her of her strength in the 5000 metres competition at the weekend, trailed out of the 1500 metres first round wreathed in tears and sweat. She finished 10th in her heat in a time of 4 minutes 19.77 seconds. The last 1500 metres race she ran was in Oslo at the start of July when she comfortably ran 3 minutes 59.91 seconds, the second best time in the world this year.
She left the stadium immediately accompanied by Mr Pat Hickey of the Irish Olympic Council and Dr Conor O'Brien, the Irish team doctor. Her only words were in reply to a question as to whether she was disappointed. "That's an understatement. There is obviously something wrong. I guess that's the end.
Earlier she had expressed confidence that the debilitating stomach bug which has plagued her for five days now had vanished. Possibly she was right but her strength had yet to return. Weak and poorly hydrated, she made a forlorn sight trailing after a mediocre field in a first round race.
Dr Joe Cummiskey said on RTE radio that he and the other team doctor, Dr Conor O'Brien, had completed a full medical examination of O'Sullivan after the race. The initial findings were that she was suffering from a bowel infection which she may have had for several weeks. She also appeared to have a lip infection. He said blood, urine, x ray and ultra sound tests had been sent for analysis and the results should be known today.
The bad news of her misfortune pounded by the information that at McMahon had tested positive for drugs after her 5000 metres beat last Sunday night.
Urine samples taken from athletes are divided into A and B samples for testing purposes. It was disclosed late on Tuesday night to Irish officials that McMahon's A sample had tested positive. Late yesterday the Irish received conformation that McMahon's B test had also tested positive. McMahon was said by officials to be "very distressed."
Early reports attributed McMahon's problems to the consumption of the painkiller Advil to dim - the pain of a leg injury but Dr Cumiskey later stated that the athlete had taken Robitussen for a cold.
McMahon (23), finished 14th in her heat in a time of 15 minutes 58, well outside her personal best. She been complaining of a leg injury earlier in the week.
McMahon is from Ennistymon. She is the current US colleges indoor 5000 metre champion and ran promisingly in this year's - World Cross Country championships.
McMahon could face an International Amateur Athletics Federation ban of up to four years. She has many avenues of appeal, however. Athletes with profiles as high as Linford Christie, for example, have escaped punishment after arguing successfully that banned substances entered their systems inadvertently.
McMahon is the fifth athlete to test positive at these Games.
The President, Mrs Robinson, sent a message to Sonia O'Sullivan last night in which she said: "Given your position as World and European champion, we in Ireland know how much work and commitment you put into representing Ireland in the Olympic - 5000 metre and the 1500 metre events. On behalf of the people of Ireland, I want you to know that we are with you in support and sympathy at this difficult time, and we look forward to your future achievements. Meanwhile, have a good rest and rise above any hassles."