The 20 year-old athlete finished sixth in a 100 meter race in 10.17 seconds at the European Athletics Champion in Munich, breaking the 15 year record previously held by Paul Hession.

When he learned the news that he had qualified, the Irish athlete hit the deck in a moment of triumph. He had just learned that he had beaten the record previously held by Paul Hession for 15 years for completing the 100 meter sprint in the shortest time on record; making him Ireland’s fastest man. 

On the historic achievement Olatunde said, “to produce my best on such a great stage and to have so many Irish supporters and most of the team in the stands watching and cheering on really meant a lot to me.”

Appearing on Today with Claire Byrne Olatunde confessed he was still coming to grips with the achievement but his next move is to get his time down to under 10 seconds.

“100%, it’s been a dream of mine since I was a young kid so I definitely have my eyes on that for sure.”

The athlete is a UCD undergraduate and is currently preparing for his final year of Computer Science at the Belfield university, where he runs for UCD Athletics Committee. At the age of 20, Israel Olatunde is the youngest person to hold the title of Ireland’s Fastest Man. The previous title holder Paul Hession was 24 when he broke the record in 2007.

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