Sir, – I wish to correct a book review by Diarmaid Ferriter concerning the excellent Power Games: Study of the Political History of the Olympic Games, by Jules Boykoff, (Weekend, July 23rd).
Mr Ferriter intimates that Peter O’Connor was a track athlete at the 1908 games. This is not accurate. Mr Boykoff is correct, he describes the memorable moment at the 1906 Olympics at the medal ceremony for the silver medal for the long jump.
Peter O’Connor climbed the flagpole and replaced the Union Jack with a green flag blazoned with a gold harp and the words “Érin go Bragh”.
He later won gold for the hop, skip and jump (now known as the triple jump) at the 1906 intercalated games in Athens.
He did not compete in the 1908 games. I am his granddaughter, and knew him very well. – Yours, etc,
A O’CONNOR QUINN,
Foxrock,
Dublin 18.