Output Sports, the Irish sports tech company, said it was proud to have played a role in the preparation of athletes and teams who delivered outstanding performances at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
From setting World and Olympic records to winning multiple medals, these athletes have showcased the immense value of integrating sports technology into their training.
Output Sports, headquartered at NovaUCD in Dublin with offices in Boston, Massachusetts, provides an all-in-one solution for testing, monitoring, and optimising athletic performance.
“As the dust settles after the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, we want to take the time to reflect upon the incredible journeys that Output Sports has been privileged to be a part of. Supporting world-class athletes as they push the boundaries of human performance is always an honour,” said Martin O'Reilly, CEO, Output Sports.
Athletes of all disciplines across the globe used Output to monitor their strength, power, and movement as they prepared for the greatest stage and throughout the Games.
Among the many impressive performances from Output users:
- Ireland’s Daniel Wiffen set an Olympic record to win gold in the Men’s 800m Freestyle and also claimed bronze in the 1500m Freestyle. Training under the guidance of Chris Thorpe at Loughborough University, a key Output Sports partner, Wiffen used Output for speed targets during his sessions. His coach recorded these results weekly, progressively increasing the weight and speed to enhance his power and efficiency in the pool at the Games.
- Zheng Qinwen achieved a historic victory for China by winning gold in Women’s Singles Tennis. Under the guidance of her coach, Output was used to monitor and optimise her Jumps, Reactive Strength Index (RSI), and Velocity-Based Training (VBT), improving explosive power, agility, and overall responsiveness on the court.
- Pan Zhanle set a new world record in the Men’s 100m Freestyle, winning gold in the event. He also contributed to China's relay success with a gold medal in Men’s 4x100m Medley Relay team and a silver medal in the Mixed 4x100m Medley Relay. His coach utilised Output to fine-tune his explosive power and speed, which were crucial to these achievements.
- The Irish, GB and USA Rugby 7s Men’s and Women’s Teams all delivered impressive performances. Both the Irish men and women advanced to the quarter-finals. The GB women’s team also performed well and reached the quarter-finals. The USA women earned a well-deserved bronze medal, and the men reached the quarterfinals. The USA teams, in particular, benefited from the expertise of speed coach Les Spellman, a key Output Sports Ambassador. The teams used Output to enhance their speed, explosive power, and neuromuscular readiness through VBT and Jumps.
- The Irish Men's Hockey incorporated Output to measure VBT, Jumps, and RSI into their training to enhance their explosive power, agility, and overall athletic performance on the field.
- Irish runners Kelly McGrory and Tom Barr both achieved personal bests under the guidance of Coach Tom Comyns. They used Output to test Jumps and RSI to enhance their explosive power and reduce ground contact time on the track. McGrory delivered an outstanding effort in the Women's 400m Relay, narrowly missing out on a medal with the team’s close fourth-place in the final. McGrory and Barr competed in the 400m Mixed Relay, securing Ireland a 10th-place finish.
- In Golf, Ireland’s Shane Lowry, coached by Output user Robbie Cannon, finished in 26th place, while Spain’s Jon Rahm, coached by Output Ambassador Spencer Tatum, secured a tied fifth place finish. Lowry's training focused on RSI, Jumps, and VBT to enhance his explosive power and agility, essential for driving and shot consistency. Rahm incorporated stability work, kettlebell swings, and VBT, to improve his core strength and rotational power. These targeted exercises are crucial for generating the explosive force and control needed for powerful, accurate golf swings.
“These Olympic achievements demonstrate the power of combining cutting-edge performance technology with the expertise of top-tier coaches. Output Sports is honoured to have been a part of providing the data and insights that helped these athletes reach new heights on the world stage. To all the athletes, coaches, and teams we’ve supported: thank you for allowing us to be a part of your journey,” added Martin O'Reilly, CEO, Output Sports.
Output Sports was spun out of UCD and first launched in 2020 by Dr Martin O'Reilly, Dr Darragh Whelan, Julian Eberle, and Professor Brian Caulfield. It originated from the UCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, and the Insight SFI Research Centre for Data Analytics.
The company serves clients across all major leagues including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, NFL, NBA, WNBA, NWSL, MLB, PGA Tour, GAA, as well as in gyms and rehab clinics in over 40 countries.
Output Sports investors include, Atlantic Bridge University Fund, Elkstone Partners, Enterprise Ireland, and angel investors.