Statement by An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern TD"There is no doubt that Sonia is among the finest athletes this country has ever produced. Her achievements in a career spanning almost 20 years have brought huge pride and enjoyment to Irish people all over the globe.
"There have been numerous highlights, from her silver medal in the 1,500 metres at the World Championships in 1993 to her fantastic golds at the 1994 European Championship and 1995 World Championship in the 3,000 and 5,000 metres respectively.
"Or who can forget 1998 when Sonia won two gold medals at the World Cross Country Championships in Morocco and followed it with the 5,000 and 10,000 double in the European Championships in Budapest.
"Her performance in securing the silver medal in the 5,000 metres at the Sydney Olympics epitomised her fighting spirit and touched the hearts of the nation. Amazingly Sonia still holds every national record in all distances between 800 and 10,000 metres - eight in all, as well as the world record for 2,000 metres.
"Sonia has been a role model for our young people and a great ambassador for Cobh and Ireland. I wish her well in her retirement."
Statement by Minister for Sport
John O'Donoghue TD
"It is my great pleasure to pay tribute to Sonia O'Sullivan, one of Ireland's greatest athletes, who has announced today that she will be retiring in April.
"Sonia, who hails from Cobh in Co Cork, has represented Ireland on the world stage with vigour and determination since taking part in her first major international competition in 1990 at the European Championships.
"Her achievements since have been outstanding as she dominated ladies' long distance running throughout the 1990s and the early 2000s, earning her accolades such as a World Championship gold medal in 1995 in addition to three European Championship gold medals and two World Cross Country titles, culminating in a silver medal for Ireland at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 in the women's 5,000 metres event.
"She earned a medal tally of which she can be proud of throughout her long and very illustrious career where she frequently showed commitment and resolve in her approach to athletics. She has been a great example to young athletes across Ireland who aspire to compete on the world stage and she will always be remembered as one of our greatest. I wish Sonia health and happiness as she embarks on a new chapter in her life."
