Peter O'Connor was born in 1872 and grew up in Waterford. With a life-long interest in sport and especially athletics, he joined the GAA in 1896. His first world record, in the long jump was in 1901 and O'Connor was reigning British long jump champion until 1906. In the 1906 Olympic Games in Athens Peter O'Connor won a silver and a gold medal. Prior to independence Irish athletes took part in the games as part of the British team and during the medal ceremony O'Connor brandished a green flag to emphasise his Irish nationality. He remained involved in athletics all his life. He was a founder member and first Vice-President of the Waterford Athletic Club, and attended later Olympics both as judge and spectator. He practiced as a solicitor in Waterford and died in Waterford in 1959.Waterford Civic Trust has installed numerous Blue Plaques in the city to commemorate a link between a particular location and a famous person or event.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment