Sonia O'Sullivan: Great Irish Sports Stars
Natasha Mac a'Bháird
Paperback
(The O'Brien Press, Oct. 31, 2020)
Born in Cobh, County Cork, Sonia O'Sullivan is Ireland's best ever athlete, having won Olympic Silver and multiple World Championship gold medals, both on the track and cross country.As a child, Sonia wasn't national champion: but only because these weren't held for girls! Her first major international race was in 1990, when she finished 11th in 3,000 metres in the European Championships. Less than a year later, she took more than 5 seconds off the previous world indoor 5,000m record.It wasn't success all the way, and Sonia had some very difficult days, but she's an amazing example of what determination, hard work and natural talent can achieve: she's a real role model for girls and boys alike.This fast-paced, engaging telling of her life is aimed at young readers.