David Gillick has been widely praised for his interviews for RTÉ throughout the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The Olympics can be cruel leading to a lot of disappointed athletes but Gillick shows great empathy in helping them during the difficult moments.
The Irish women's 4x400m relay team experienced heartbreak on Saturday night finishing just outside the medals in fourth place in the final.
The team of Sophie Becker, Rhasidat Adeleke, Phil Healy and Sharlene Mawdsley ran their fastest time ever of 3.19.90, shaving over three seconds off the national record but it wasn't enough for the medal they dreamed of.
It made for a very emotional post-race interview.
Sophie Becker could hardly find the words for her disappointment while for Rhasidat Adeleke, it was her second fourth place finish in 24 hours.
So much emotion and so much pride.
So much to take in from this interview with Ireland's fourth place 4x400 relay team. pic.twitter.com/Uk1hSRRWQg— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) August 10, 2024
The wounds were raw in the mixed zone in the immediate aftermath but Gillick helped to cheer the team up filling them in on the pride they've brought to their country.
"That was an unbelievable performance," Gillick said to Becker.
""You take nearly three seconds off the national record. I know it's hard. It's a fourth place.
"But you were so close. Sophie an amazing first leg. I know it's hard. What's going through your head?"
Gillick praised Rhasidat Adeleke for her fight in coming out to represent the team after Friday's disappointment before asking Sharlene Mawdsley about the team's journey to here.
"Rhasidat. I know yesterday was a hard night.
"You dusted yourself down. You got involved in the team. You put in an unbelievable second leg. Again so close. But you must be proud of the team."
"Sharlene, I know it's tough. You lined it up.
"You did everything right. It wasn't to be tonight, but the journey that not only you four, but the whole squad is on, is truly amazing."
Go back to Friday night and Gillick was similarly tactful and compassionate as he spoke with Rhasidat Adeleke after her agonising fourth place finish in the individual 400m.
Adeleke could barely speak but Gillick helped in composing her as the emotions hit hard.
"I don't know," said a despondent Adeleke initially.
"It's a difficult moment, ok," said Gillick.
"But there's so many people proud of you, here in the stadium, at home. You're 21, it's your first Olympic games. You've made a final. You're the first Irish woman to make an Olympic sprint final. It's something very, very important for you, but also to be proud of."
Rhasidat ☘️💚👑#rteolympics #paris2024 #teamireland pic.twitter.com/3PSUKc5tAm
— RTÉ2 (@RTE2) August 9, 2024
A two-time European indoor 400m champion, Gillick is well aware of the highs and lows of sport, and how much the disappointment can hurt.
It wasn't all disappointment as he enjoyed some memorable light-hearted moments with Paul O'Donovan and Fintan McCarthy in particular after their gold medal win.
But those are the easy interviews. These are the hard ones. Gillick has the knack for both, with his colleague Darragh Maloney describing them perfectly as post-race 'counselling sessions.'
He received widespread praise for his manner of dealing with the various athletes over the last two weeks and he tweeted to on Saturday night to say he was overwhelmed by the love he has received.
"Thank you to everyone for the love, I’m truly blown away! It’s a privilege to be the 1st person to talk to our athletes! They’re amazing, showcasing their talent, dedication & sport. Thank you to the crew behind the camera that make it happen so you all can be part of it!"
Irish comedian Colm O'Regan summed it up best.
"In future I will only speak to David Gillick after every disappointing moment," he tweeted.
In future I will only speak to David Gillick after every disappointing moment. #Olympic2024
— Colm O'Regan (@colmoregan) August 9, 2024
