John O'Donoghue, T.D., Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, today paid tribute to one of Ireland’s finest ever athletes, race-walker Gillian O’Sullivan, who today announced her retirement from competitive athletics at the age of 30. Gillian, who was born in the Parish of Minish just a few miles from Killarney town has had a very impressive career, which has resulted in major achievements. She currently holds the world record in the 5000m, which was set in Santry in 2002 at the Irish National Championships. She is also the current Irish record holder in the 3,000m, 5,000m and 10,000m and she holds the 10k and 20k Irish road records. She also came 2nd in the 20km Walk at the World Championships in Paris in 2003, 4th at the 2002 European Championships and 10th at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. Minister O'Donoghue said: "Gillian has been a fantastic athlete, competing with great success for a number of years. She should have great pride in what she has achieved in such a short space of time. Gillian has also brought great pride to the people of Kerry and Ireland and her achievements will always have a special place in Irish sporting history. I wish her all the best in her life after competing and let us hope that this will not be the last time we see Gillian involved in the sporting arena." 
