Irish America

Irish America

Tom Donnelly

A Coach, a Friend, a Mentor, and a
Chariots of Fire Moment

By Joe Quinlan
IA Newsletter, August 3, 2024

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The 21st century Paris Olympics are in full swing … exactly 100 years since the 1924 Olympics, made famous by the Oscar-winning “Chariots of Fire” movie (cue the theme music and the iconic beach running scene). Some 50 years ago, I had a brief intersection with those same Olympics, but youthful arrogance on my part limited the impact. In September 1975, I had a chance encounter … [Read more...] about

A Coach, a Friend, a Mentor, and a
Chariots of Fire Moment

Tom Donnelly at the Finish Line
With Lessons for us all

By Mike Jensen
IA Newsletter, August 3, 2024

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“Thirty-five of the hardest races I ever ran," Donnelly said of his own cancer treatment. The value of competing. Tom Donnelly lived it, coached it, studied it, preached it. Donnelly thought he understood it. Competing was, in a sense, this man’s life’s work. Partnering with his athletes, guiding them until … [Read more...] about

Tom Donnelly at the Finish Line
With Lessons for us all