Olympic medallists Rhys McClenaghan, Kellie Harrington, Fintan McCarthy, Philip Doyle and Daire Lynch were among those who attended the reception hosted by President Higgins and his wife Sabina.
Athletes who narrowly missed out on a medal, including Sophie Becker, Phil Healy, Sharlene Mawdsley, Kelly McGrory and Seán Waddilove, were also present alongside their fellow Team Ireland athletes, coaches and staff.
Mr Higgins congratulated each for their role in making Paris 2024 the nation’s most successful Olympic Games, earning seven medals and 26 top-10 finishes.
President Michael D Higgins with Daire Lynch, Rhys McClenaghan, Kellie Harrington, Fintan McCarthy and Philip Doyle at Áras an Úachtaráin. Photo: Maxwells Photography
He praised the athletes for their commitment to their sport, embracing two-time gold medallist Kellie Harrington, who became the first Irish woman to win a medal at more than one Olympic Games.
She enquired after his dog, Misneach, who later made a brief appearance to greet the Olympian.
The President told rower Fintan McCarthy that he had “the finest smile in the world”, later praising gymnast Rhys McClenaghan for his “resilience” as he told him he was “thrilled” for his success in Paris.
“Sometimes I think we don’t stress it sufficiently, that the sheer qualification itself and the journey to qualification and what it means by way of personal commitment,” added President Higgins, who said their achievements highlighted the importance of sport as “part of the necessary training for life”.
“It was probably the greatest single week in Irish sport. You had the hearts of the Irish people with you,” he said, thanking the athletes for the “powerful example” they gave and “the lift to our spirits that we needed.
“I want you to continue to enjoy all of it because there are times when there will have been setbacks and you are more than well entitled to the time when the sun rises as it has for you,” President Higgins said.
Paul Sherrard, the CEO of the Olympic Federation of Ireland, said it became clear to Team Ireland the extent to which they had “inspired the nation” only when they returned home from Paris last month, when they were greeted by thousands in the first ever civic reception for Team Ireland on O’Connell Street in Dublin.
“It meant a huge amount to the team this summer that so frequently during the Games our President, our head of state, took the time to lead the congratulations of the country and to reflect the collective joy that all our brilliant men and women here gave the country as a whole,” he said. “It is a team that showed courage, integrity and commitment and it’s a team to be truly proud of.”.
He pointed out that many athletes were now already on the training journey for Los Angeles 2028.
A reception will be held at a later date for the athletes who competed at the Paralympic Games, who this week returned home after winning six medals and competing in nine different sports.