Summary

This Sporting Nation Word on the Week 15th August 2026.
The 2026 European Championships provided the forum for Ireland to showcase her best athletes. The aquatic events were held in Paris and the field events were on show in Birmingham. Most events have been decided with the exception of the women’s heptathlon which had completed four events with three to go.
Records have been broken with many recording their ‘personal best’. Beyond that lies the Irish National record and finally the world record. A number in the first two categories have been broken with the world record remaining tantalisingly close.
In the breaststroke Mona McSharry added a second medal to her collection. Lying fourth for most of the 200m she produced a brilliant finish to land a bronze medal. Ellen Walshe is poised for another gold after reaching the 200m individual medley final. Daniel Wiffen, who admits he is not in the best shape, has qualified for the 1,500m freestyle. We await the outcome today.
Last night was sensational! Mark English from Donegal won gold in the 800m and Rhasidat Adeleke from Tallaght, Dublin, won silver in the 200m.
What made Mark’s win so memorable was at age 33 he was unlikely to produce better times for the 800m. He had a track record of winning many bronze medals but seemed fated to miss out on silver or gold. What made it more remarkable was his switch, at university, from physiotherapy to medicine in his 20’s maintaining all that time a high degree of fitness.
Mark ‘s comment “I so wanted that gold” was played out in the last 50m when he moved past the leading athletes to win by a clear 2m. It was a brilliantly run race as was the 200m of Rhasidat Adeleke. She had been out of form and only just qualified three weeks ago for these games.
There were great games in the Apostle Paul’s time. The Greek athletes were known for high standards and strong discipline. Paul recognised the value of this training, used it himself and recommended it to his fellow evangelists.
In writing to the church in Corinth about these events Paul points out that although all prepare only one gets the prize – a temporal crown whereas we run for Jesus to get a crown that will last forever (1Corinthians 9 verses 22/6).
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing (2 Timothy 4 verses 7/8).” Are you there?