Grange's double Olympian Chris O’Donnell to be honoured with Freedom of County Sligo

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

It has been announced that the first ever recipient of the freedom of County Sligo will Grange’s double Olympian, Chris O’Donnell, who will be honoured at a ceremony in County Hall next week.

The news was confirmed at Monday’s monthly meeting of Sligo County Council.

The North Sligo AC member has been a trailblazer for athletics in the region and has represented Grange, Sligo and Ireland with distinction all over the world.

Chris represented Ireland at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and three years earlier in Tokyo where he competed in the 4x400 metre mixed relay event.

The five time, national 400m champion, was also part of the Ireland team that took gold in the 2024 European Athletics Championships which were held in Rome.

A talented footballer for Benbulben FC in his younger days, Chris represented Sligo/Leitrim in Kennedy Cup action before he turned his sights solely on athletics.

Chris will be conferred with his honour on Wednesday, November 12.