Paul O'Donovan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Paul O'Donovan

O'Donovan at the 2016 European Rowing Championships
Personal information
Nationality	Irish
Born	(1994-04-19) 19 April 1994 (age 31) Lisheen, County Cork, Ireland
Height	1.77 m
Weight	74 kg
Sport
Country	Ireland
Sport	Rowing
Event(s)	Lightweight double sculls Lightweight single sculls
Coached by	Teddy O'Donovan Dominic Casey
Achievements and titles
Olympic finals	Gold medal (Lightweight double sculls, Tokyo 2020) Gold Medal (Lightweight double sculls, Paris 2024) Silver medal (Lightweight double sculls, Rio de Janeiro 2016)
Medal record Men's rowing Representing  Ireland Olympic Games Gold 2020 Tokyo Lwt double sculls Gold 2024 Paris Lwt double sculls Silver 2016 Rio de Janeiro Lwt double sculls World Championships Gold 2016 Rotterdam Lwt single sculls Gold 2017 Sarasota Lwt single sculls Gold 2018 Plovdiv Lwt double sculls Gold 2019 Ottensheim Lwt double sculls Gold 2022 Račice Lwt double sculls Gold 2023 Belgrade Lwt double sculls Gold 2024 St. Catharines Lwt single sculls European Championships Gold 2016 Brandenburg an der Havel Lwt double sculls Gold 2021 Varese Lwt double sculls Gold 2022 Oberschleißheim Lwt double sculls Silver 2017 Račice Lwt double sculls Silver 2018 Glasgow Lwt double sculls World U23 Championships Bronze 2013 Ottensheim Lwt single sculls

Paul O'Donovan is an amazing Irish rower. He was born on April 19, 1994. He is famous for his incredible speed in lightweight rowing. Paul has won two Olympic gold medals and many world championships.

He is a true champion in both single and double sculls events. Paul even set a world record time in the lightweight double sculls. Many people consider him Ireland's greatest ever Olympian. He was named RTÉ Sportsperson of the Year in 2024.

Paul's Early Life and Start in Rowing

Paul O'Donovan grew up in Lisheen, a small place near Skibbereen in County Cork, Ireland. His parents are Teddy and Trish O'Donovan. Paul went to Lisheen National School and St Fachtna's De La Salle secondary school.

He started rowing when he was about seven years old. His dad, Teddy, who was also a rower, took Paul and his older brother Gary to the Skibbereen Rowing Club. Their dad coached them until 2013. Paul's cousin, Emily Hegarty, also won an Olympic rowing medal.

Paul studied Physiotherapy at University College Dublin. He graduated in 2017. Later, he studied Medicine at University College Cork and finished in May 2023.

Paul's Amazing Rowing Career

Paul O'Donovan has had a fantastic rowing career, winning many medals. He started competing at a young age. He has shown incredible talent and hard work.

Junior and Under 23 Success

In 2008, Paul and his brother Gary joined the Irish junior team. They won a gold medal in Wales. Paul became the junior single sculls champion of Ireland when he was just 15. He also placed fourth in the 2011 World Junior Championships.

When he was 19, Paul won a bronze medal. This was at the World Rowing Under 23 Championships in Austria.

2016: Olympic Silver and World Gold

In April 2016, Paul and Gary O'Donovan won a silver medal. This was in the lightweight double sculls in Italy. The next month, they won a gold medal at the European Rowing Championships in Germany.

At the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio, the O'Donovan brothers made history. They won a silver medal in the lightweight double sculls. This was Ireland's first-ever Olympic rowing medal! Just two weeks later, Paul won another gold. He became the world champion in the lightweight single sculls in the Netherlands.

2017: More Medals and Single Sculls Gold

The O'Donovan brothers continued their success in 2017. They won a silver medal at the European Rowing Championships. They also earned silver and bronze medals at World Rowing Cup events.

At the 2017 World Rowing Championships in Florida, Paul won gold again. He was the lightweight men's single sculls world champion. His brother Gary was unwell, so they did not race together.

2018: World Champions with Gary

In 2018, Paul and Gary O'Donovan won more medals together. They took home a silver medal at the European Rowing Championships in August. Then, in September, they became world champions. They won gold in the lightweight double sculls at the 2018 World Rowing Championships.

2019: Partnering with Fintan McCarthy

In 2019, Paul started rowing with Fintan McCarthy. They teamed up for the 2019 World Rowing Championships in Austria. The new pair won a gold medal in the lightweight double sculls. This win also helped the Irish team qualify for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

2021: Olympic Gold and World Record

Paul and Fintan continued to dominate in 2021. They won gold at the European Rowing Championships. The next month, they won gold again at a World Rowing Cup event.

At the 2020 Summer Olympics (held in July 2021), Paul and Fintan were incredible. They set a new world record time of 6:05:33 in their semifinal race. They then went on to win the gold medal in the lightweight double sculls. They finished ahead of teams from Germany and Italy.

2022: European and World Gold

After spending some time in Australia for his medical studies, Paul reunited with Fintan. They won gold for the second year in a row at the 2022 European Rowing Championships. They also claimed another world title at the 2022 World Rowing Championships.

2023: Third World Title and Olympic Qualification

Paul and Fintan won their third world title together in 2023. They won the lightweight double sculls at the 2023 World Rowing Championships in Serbia. This victory also secured their spot for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

2024: Double Olympic Champion

Paul O'Donovan and Fintan McCarthy represented Ireland again at the 2024 Summer Olympics. They won their second consecutive gold medal in the lightweight double sculls. This made Paul the only Irish Olympian to win medals at three different Olympic Games. Just a few weeks after his Olympic success, Paul won another gold medal. He won the lightweight single sculls at the 2024 World Rowing Championships in Canada.