Education
Delany studied commerce and finance at Villanova University in the United States.
Delany studied commerce and finance at Villanova University in the United States.
He earned a gold medal by finishing in first place in the 1500 metres event at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne. He later earned a bronze medal in the 1500 metres event at the 1958 European Athletics Championships in Stockholm. Delany also competed at the 1954 European Athletics Championships in Bern and the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, though was less successful on these occasions.
Retiring from competitive athletics in 1962, he has secured his status as Ireland"s most recognisable Olympian as well as one of the greatest sportsmen and international ambassadors in his country"s history.
Born into a wealthy family in Arklow, County Wicklow, Delany moved with his family to Sandymount, Dublin 4 when he was six. Delany later went to Sandymount High school and then on one of Ireland"s leading private boys schools, Catholic University School.
While there he was coached by the well-known track coach Jumbo Elliott. In 1956, he became the seventh runner to join the club of four-minute milers, but nonetheless struggled to make the Irish team for the 1956 Summer Olympics, held in Melbourne.
Delany qualified for the Olympic 1500m final, in which local runner John Landy was the big favourite.
Delany kept close to Landy until the final lap, when he started a crushing final sprint, winning the race in a new Olympic record. He went on to represent Ireland once again at the 1960 Summer Olympics held in Rome, this time in the 800 metres. He finished sixth in his quarter-final heat.
Delany continued his running career in North America, winning four successive Amateur Athletic Union titles in the mile, adding to his total of four Irish national titles, and three National Collegiate Athletic Association titles.
He was next to unbeatable on indoor tracks over that period, which included a 40-race winning streak. He broke the World Indoor Mile Record on three occasions.
He retired from competitive running in 1962.