Callum O’Dowda’s pride at sister Jade’s Olympics performance

The 2024 summer proved to be an eventful one for the O’Dowda household.

Republic of Ireland winger Callum O’Dowda continued his recovery from a groin injury in a bid to ensure he was able to be a prominent figure for Cardiff City this season.

But the 29-year-old and his family also had their eyes glued to the television as the versatile full-back’s 24-year-old sister Jade O’Dowda competed for Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the Olympics.

Jade O’Dowda – a bronze medallist at the 2022 Commonwealth Games – earned a total of 6,280 points to finish 10th in the women’s heptathlon in Paris.

And her older brother could not hide his joy with his sister’s performance in France following what has been a gruelling year for the athlete.

“Over the last six months, it’s been the journey of her trying to get to the Olympics and then getting there and then competing,” said Cardiff man O’Dowda.

“What people didn’t see is all of the stuff she had to go through prior to it. 

“She was managing stuff and it was all of the stress and pressure to deliver, and she did. I’m so proud of her.

“She’s been on some journey, from me dragging her over to the park to play football and running, then to her doing it on the Olympic stage. 

“I wish I could have gone, but with the timings of the football I couldn’t make it. But I’m mega proud of her.

“My parents went over to watch her and we had all of the family round my house, all of us were shouting at the TV.

“She did really well to get 10th, for her age as well. She can have a bit of time to relax and have a holiday now.”