Name: Ciaran O’Lionaird
Date of birth: April 11, 1988
Hometown: County Cork, Ireland
High School: Leevale Athletic Club (Cork, Ireland)
College: Michigan, Florida State, 2011
Current residence: Eugene, Oregon
Primary event: 1,500m
Personal bests:
• 1,500m, 3:34.46, 2011
• Mile, 3:52.10, 2013
• 3,000m, 7:50.40, 2013
• 5,000m, 13:33.64, 2011
• 10,000m, 28:32.30, 2011
Career achievements:
• 1,500m
- Olympian, 2012 London Games
- 2011 IAAF World Championships finalist
- 2012 IAAF World Indoor Championships qualifier
- 2011 Atlantic Coast Conference champion
Awards/Honors: He claimed the bronze medal in the 3,000 meters at the 2013 European Indoor Championships.
What is your favorite and/or least favorite workout? Favorite: Pace change workouts so starting at race pace then accelerating to a sprint. Least: Tempos.
Why have you chosen to live and train in Eugene? Coach Mark Rowland.
What is the most challenging moment you’ve faced as an athlete? My achilles tendinosis and subsequent surgery.
What would be your super power and why? The ability to make everybody in the world believe that my shower singing is good. It would be amazing to completely reverse popular opinion.
What is your spirit animal/what animal do you relate to? A newborn calf who hasn’t discovered how to walk or run correctly yet.
What is your favorite track and field meet? The Prefontaine Classic.
What drives you to work so hard? Making up for London 2012.
What is an interesting fact about you that we may not know? I have a considerable hatred for the texture of a tomato.
If you could road trip across the country with anyone, who would it be? George Carlin or Christopher Hitchens if they were alive. Both are legends.
What is the coolest experience you’ve had as a Nike athlete? Getting to interact and meet so many ambitious individuals, from product to marketing to coaches to athletes.
What is your dream job after your athletic career? I’d like to work in Product Development for footwear.
Who or what has been your greatest inspiration as an athlete? My Mum and brothers, who have been there all the way, through thick and thin.
What do you do to unwind after a long season? Go to some music shows and festivals and just get away.
What is the key to your success? Taking the ability I have and surrounding myself with the best support structures.
Which teammate inspires you and why? Sally, she has medals.
