There is something special when someone from your country succeeds on the world stage. Especially when the country is small, like our island. I vividly remember the pride we all felt when Sonia O’Sullivan, a girl from Cork, dominated athletics in the ’90s and won the silver medal at the Sydney Olympics.
The country fell into a frenzy of jubilation. I taught at a school Ronnie Delany attended as a child, and his achievements at the Melbourne Olympics in 1956 were often spoken of with such reverence. Much like when Katie Taylor scooped gold in 2012, Kellie Harrington’s incredible performance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics brought gold and pride back to the country.
We’ve had so many talented female athletes in this country over the years. We’re a small nation, but we’ve always had great athletes performing on the world stage.
A new name to appear in Irish athletics in recent years is Molly Scott. The 23-year-old sprinter from Carlow recently held the Irish national record for the 60m sprint. I spoke to Molly this week and it was wonderful to see her talent and passion for athletics.
Describing her early encounter with athletics, she was only seven years old when the virus hit her. She started running with her neighbors in a local field, but it quickly became apparent that there was an innate talent that needed to be nurtured. Her mother became her coach when she was 12. That’s when Molly really started to develop and achieve success. This mother-daughter team has had significant moments in athletics in recent years.
Molly broke the national record with 60 meters in a time of 7.19. An outstanding achievement for such a young runner. She also won the national championships over 60 m and finished 19th at the world indoor championships. Outstanding achievements for such a young athlete. It’s so important for young girls and boys to have positive role models like Molly to encourage them to dream bigger. Molly said girls are often taught to just enjoy the sport and not rush or try to compete.
Molly Scott of St Laurence O’Toole AC, Carlow, crosses the line to win the Senior Women’s 60m during day two of the Irish Life Health National Senior Indoor Athletics Championships at the National Indoor Arena, at Sport Ireland Campus, Dublin. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
She said: “You can do both, you can enjoy athletics and you can push yourself and compete.” What a positive message for teenage girls everywhere. This month we celebrated International Women’s Day and I can’t think of a better way to end the month than by celebrating the achievements of one of Ireland’s rising young talented sprinters.
Molly said a life in athletics offers children a different, more positive teenage experience. I couldn’t agree more with her. In today’s technology-driven world, teenagers often miss the camaraderie that comes with playing sports or being involved in a local club. This connection to other members of the club is critical to a child’s development and confidence. Here they learn about themselves, how to deal with success and failure. Really important skills to develop in your child. Molly was also very keen that ambition and drive should be seen as something positive. She said: “There should be no shame in being ambitious”.
I often think that in this country we are not very good at encouraging ambition. We consider it something to hide. But ambition is important to develop children. It gives them something to strive for, something to reach for, and they learn that if you want to achieve your goals and ambitions, you have to work hard for them. Nothing comes easy. I often think that today’s kids have an expectation that if they want something, they should get it without too much hassle. We prepare them for a very unhappy life when we teach them to think in this way. Speaking to Molly, it was evident that she clearly understands the challenges and work that lies ahead if she wants to achieve her life goal, which is a medal at the Paris Olympics in 2024. Now there are ambitions.
It’s so wonderful to see a young Irish sportswoman dreaming so big. These dreams are born when people like Sonia O’Sullivan fly the tricolor on the world’s biggest stages. A person’s success affects eternity. And Molly is doing her own bit to inspire future generations of young athletes. Molly has two years to make her dreams come true. But she knows it won’t be easy. She said: ‘I’m fine, but I’m not at World Championship medal level yet’.
Not only does Molly train every day to pursue her dreams in athletics, but she’s also pursuing a part-time law degree. Such an inspirational story for all young people. Pursue your dreams with both hands and big eyes, but also build a care for your future. Molly Scott is certainly an athlete to keep an eye on. Her strength and talent are great. Roll on Paris.
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