Rob Heffernan is expected to retire after finishing eighth in today's 50km walk at the World Championships, admitting that it was likely the end of the road for him at the age of 39.
He spoke toathletics reporter and commentator Will Downing after the race, and he called out the lack of TV coverage afforded to the World Championships. The games have not been shown in Ireland, leaving Irish viewers reliant on the BBC's Team GB-centric coverage for the games.
Heffernan, as ever, was forthright in his opinion:
The Irish crowd, and the familiar faces of everyone who has supported me, the motivation today was to give them something back, to say thanks. I could have put the head down and felt sorry for myself having not won a medal, but it was lovely to thank people and come here. It was lovely for them to come here and see me race, because obviously, we didn't get to show the races at home!
I laugh when I see the sports minister talking about hosting an Olympic Games, when we can't even show them [the World Championships] on television! It was lovely to give the supporters something back, and from the bottom of my heart, I'd like to thank everyone who has supported me. It's been emotional.
Heffernan went onto say that he now wants to give something back to the sport he has already added so much to, admitting that his body no longer has the desire to keep going for another year or two.
He ended by responded to a question asking whether he would consider a career in politics from here:
For me? Ah, they wouldn't want me. I'm too honest!
True that.
Listen to the interview in full below.
