A form of “mini All-Ireland fever” has gripped communities around Athenry and Loughrea in recent weeks as dozens of friends and family members make final preparations to support Galway’s two Olympians, Olive Loughnane and Paul Hession, at the 2012 London Games.

Hession’s supporters have scrambled to get tickets for the Olympic Stadium to see him perform in the 200 metre sprint events, while Loughnane’s family are looking forward to a big reunion when she takes part in the 20km walk on the streets of the British capital on August 11.

Considering that they both took part in Beijing 2008, the logistics of travelling to support the athletes are a lot easier this time around – although many of the Loughnane party have changed their flight plans to make it to Croke Park for the Galway hurlers’ showdown with either Cork or Waterford on the day after Olive’s race.

Incredibly, Olive (36) is set to take part in her fourth Olympic Games. Her parents, Matt and Theresa, and many of her siblings have followed her to Sydney, Athens, and Beijing during a fine career in which she has also competed at five World Championships, taking a silver medal in Berlin three years ago.

Husband Martin and daughter Eimear (6) are also set to make the short trip from their home in Cork to support her in London on Saturday week.

See full story and interviews in news and sport in this week's Connacht Tribune.