A metre off where I needed to be, but a metre is enough

Last Tuesday Paul Hession exited the London Olympics with the same equanimity with which he has lived alongside some of the fastest men on the planet for the past 10 years. No excuses, no hard-luck stories. He ran the same 200m heat as Yohan Blake, the 100m silver medallist, and ran 20.69, good enough to finish fifth, but not sufficiently quick -- by 0.06 seconds -- to guarantee him a place in the following day's semi-final. Click here to read more

Hession vows to battle on after coming up just short

Despite failing to progress out of yesterday's 200m heats, Paul Hession indicated that he's not yet ready to hang up his international spikes. His disgust at running 20.69 to finish fifth in his heat was clear to see. It was a huge setback for the Irishman, who came within one place of qualifying for the 200m Olympic final in Beijing and has regularly been a semi-finalist at World and Olympic level. At 29, with an ongoing Achilles problem that may yet need surgery, and with plans to definitely resume his twice interrupted medical studies this autumn, there was immediate speculation that this could be the end for Ireland's world-class sprinter. Click here to read more

It's Not The Taking Part - Featuring Paul Hession

Eight Athletes - Eight Journeys - One Destination.

The trials and tribulations of eight of Ireland’s Olympic hopefuls as they battle against rivals, injury, money problems, inadequate facilities, the clock, the selectors and overwhelming odds for the chance to compete on the ultimate stage.

Hession believes he has a chance

Paul Hession claims times can be forgotten as he looks to make London a moment to remember. If he was to assess his chances of becoming the first Irishman to reach an Olympic sprint final on the basis of personal bests, Hession knows he would be out of the running in the 200metres. But the Athenry man — who narrowly failed to reach the Beijing final — insists that there is far more at play when it comes to championships, which gives him hope. Hession — whose quickest run was 20.30sec in 2007 — said: “I was fifth in my semi-final, one place away from getting to the final. Click here to read more

European Athletics Championships - Hession goes through

Paul Hession his spot in the final of the men's 200m at the European Atheltics Championships today. The Galway sprinter ran a season best time of 20.75 in Helsinki, crossing the line just behind heat winner Likourgos Tsakonas (20.73) from Greece.

"It was really tough to stay in your lane," said Hession afterwards. "I have never experienced anything like that before. The race itself was fine, I was fairly isolated out there in lane seven so I didn't really know who was near me. I am looking forward to the semi finals later."

Cadbury launches sponsorship of RTE Sport coverage

Cadbury announce an agreement with RTÉ to sponsor all RTÉ Sport coverage of the London 2012 Olympic Games a deal valued at over €700,000, promising wall-to-wall coverage across TV, radio & digital platforms throughout the London 2012 Olympic Games.

With a 70% reach of all adults on RTÉ Television , the new agreement will see prominent Cadbury branding across 25 commercial breaks each day of the TV coverage during the Games (27th July – 12th August) along with a presence on the dedicated Olympics section on RTE.ie, across live streamed coverage and ‘catch-up’. The integrated sponsorship package will reach an audience of in excess of one million viewers.

In 2008, Cadbury announced its global sponsorship of the London 2012 Olympic Games, followed by an announcement in March this year marking the brand’s sponsorship of the Irish and Paralympic Teams. As such this move comes as a natural extension to the existing sponsorship portfolio.

Cadbury has selected 3 Ambassadors Athletes, namely Olympic athletes Grainne Murphy and Paul Hession, and Paralympic athlete Catherine Walsh to work closely with the company in the lead up to the Games to help raise the profile not only of the athletes themselves but also to drive pride and support around participation of all Irish athletes.

Paul Hession talks Olympics, Sonia and that man Bolt

As nicknames go ‘The Fastest White Man in the World’ is not too shabby. Ireland’s Paul Hession earned the tag during a period of his career (in 2007 and 2008) that saw him hold four national records.

However, when athletes like Usain Bolt and Richard Thompson are smashing 10 second barriers with regularity, the caucasian cause is lucky to stay in the picture. Click here to read more

Irish Olympic athletes free to use Twitter at London 2012

Cadbury launches sponsorship

Today sees Cadbury announce their sponsorship agreement with both the Olympic Council of Ireland and Paralympics Ireland, thus becoming the Official Treat Provider to the Irish Olympic and Paralympic teams in the run up to and during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

In 2008, Cadbury announced its global sponsorship of the London 2012 Olympic Games, so this move comes as a natural extension to this sponsorship.

Speaking at the launch, Brian O'Sullivan, MD, Kraft Foods Ireland said "Cadbury, as one of Ireland's best loved brands, is delighted and proud to launch this sponsorship. There has never been a more exciting time for a brand to be involved in the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and for a brand like Cadbury to be in a position to bring a little of the Olympic spirit, and joy to our customers, the opportunity was simply too good to miss". He continued "As a company with a large Irish manufacturing base and heritage here we are fully behind each and every Irish athlete taking part in the Games and immensely proud to play a role in their journey to London 2012"

As part of today's launch, Cadbury also unveiled their Cadbury Ambassador Athletes for the Games – namely Paul Hession and Grainne Murphy of Team Ireland, and Catherine Walsh of Paralympics Ireland. Cadbury will work closely with these athletes over the coming months to help raise the profile not only of the athletes themselves but also to drive pride and support around participation of all Irish athletes in the Games.

As part of their sponsorship, Cadbury also plan to roll out a number of exciting initiatives over the coming weeks, which will enhance the Irish experience of the Games. These initiatives include the launch of their largest ever in-store promotion, 'Unwrap Gold', which will capture the imagination of Irish sporting fans everywhere and give Irish fans across Ireland the chance to win hundreds of golden vouchers to the Games hidden inside the wrappers of Cadbury Dairy Milk bars.

Pat Hickey, President of the Olympic Council of Ireland added "Team Ireland has been fortunate in its preparations for the London Olympics in having Cadbury on board as a major sponsor. This famous brand promoting and supporting our athletes to a very great degree and continues to help build public excitement and team awareness as we get ready to 'go for gold' in four months' time"

Liam Harbison, CEO, Paralympics Ireland commenting on the announcement said "We are delighted that Cadbury is partnering with the 2012 Irish Paralympic Team towards this Summer's "home Games". Their support is of huge help, not just to Paralympic athletes like Catherine Walsh who are targeting the podium in London, but also in building the greatest-ever public support for the team"

Radio Interview