Olympic hopefuls: ‘I think we’re going to be competing with less fear and with more to gain’

Pentathletes Natalya Coyle and Arthur Lanigan-O’Keeffe have been training hard throughout lockdown for the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics set to go ahead this summer, but the extra time has also given them time to take stock

Natalya Coyle and Arthur Lanigan-O'Keeffe: the engaged couple make up half the Irish pentathlete team for the Tokyo Olympics. Photo: Bryan Meade

It’s no secret that the dedication, commitment and discipline required of Olympic athletes takes over almost every waking moment. Many will admit that the intensity of the crunch weeks before a major event leaves little time for socialising, relaxing or even romance.

Luckily, Natalya Coyle, 30, and Arthur Lanigan-O’Keeffe, 29, one half of the Irish Olympic pentathlete team, don’t have to worry too much about the latter. The pair, who got engaged last year, train ...