Born to Perform (23 page)

With gold medallists Mark McKoy (Canada) (left), 110-metre hurdles champion, 1992, and Linford Christie (UK), 100-metre champion, 1992.

Treating William Sigei in Gainesville, Florida, 1995. William was the 10,000 metres world record holder and two-time world cross country champion.

With Moses Kiptanui (Kenya) in the Olympic Stadium at Atlanta Olympic Games, 1996. At that time, Moses was the multiple world record holder in the 3,000 metres, 3,000-metre steeplechase and 5,000 metres.

With Kelly Holmes (UK) in my clinic in Limerick, 2000. Kelly overcame multiple injury problems to become a double Olympic champion in the 800 metres and 1,500 metres at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

Crossing the finish line of the 25th Anniversary Hawaii Ironman in 2003 was a special occasion for me. I had been told I'd never run again by the experts and yet I completed the toughest Ironman on the globe, running a full 26.2-mile marathon in the process.

With my father Patrick in 2003. Patrick was an active sportsman throughout his life.

With Paula Radcliffe in 2003, minutes after she set a new marathon world record of 2 hours, 15 minutes and 25 seconds in the London Marathon. I have worked with Paula for fourteen years and shared many highs and some lows with her.

Treating Cork hurling star Seán Óg Ó hAilpín in my clinic in Limerick, 2005. In the background, framed, is the jersey he wore in the All-Ireland hurling victory against Kilkenny in 2004, which he signed and presented to me with the message “Thanks for the Belief”.

With Kelly Holmes in Limerick, 2004. Kelly brought her two Olympic gold medals over to Limerick to share them with fans who had supported and encouraged her through injury stages, when it had looked unlikely that she would ever grace the podium.

With Ger Keane, my colleague at the Hartmann International Sports Injury Clinic and Ronan O'Gara in May 2005. Weeks earlier, Ronan came knocking at my door in dire straits. He had injured his right knee and he presented me with the task of mending him in record time for the Lions Tour weeks later.

With my wife Diane and my family on our wedding day, October 2, 2006: my sister Thecla, my mother Thecla, me, Diane, my father Patrick, and my sisters Leonie and Helga at Adare Manor Co. Limerick. (Courtesy of www.michaelmartinphotography.ie)

Oct 2, 2006: close friends at Adare Manor for our wedding day: Frank O'Mara, Marcus O'Sullivan, Kelly Holmes, Eamonn Coghlan, me, Sonia O'Sullivan and Nic Bideau. (Courtesy of www.michaelmartinphotography.ie)