92-year-old grandma steals hearts in Paris
Australian judo champion Aoife Coughlan stunned Olympic audiences with a tense showdown against German athlete Miriam Butkereit in Paris, but some audience members had their attention drawn elsewhere.
The 28-year-old Aussie was holding her own against Butkereit, until sudden-death overtime saw Butkereit, 30, win at the last second in the women's 70kg judo round of 16.
Despite the unbelievable scenes inside Grand Palais Éphémère in Champ de Mars in Paris, some spectators were quick to notice a special guest hovering behind the TV cameras, who has since drawn the world's attention.
Coughlan's 92-year-old grandmother Pam Coughlan, from Ireland, scored a prime position mat-side to watch her granddaughter compete, with the judoka's cousin explaining just how his grandmother secured her prime, and unusual, spot on social media.
"She persuaded them to let her sit here. Never doubt the Dublin Granny," Mark Coughlan wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Wearing sunglasses inside and a red, French-style beret to complete her look, Coughlan's grandmother Pam kept a watchful eye on her granddaughter, with Mark commentating from at home.
"Judo is quicker than I knew, and harsh," Coughlan's cousin explained to his social media followers. "Round two 20 minutes after round one: Aoife lost on Judo's equivalent of extra time and penalties in the last minute."
"Massive pride. What an achievement. Olympian and hugs from Granny afterwards."
Pam Coughlan, Mark said, will "have to do the Paris look-around now" as she did eight years ago, when she flew aged 83 to spectate at Rio 2016.
Mark's Twitter thread about his grandmother quickly went viral, with many applauding the older woman for her supportive nature.
One fan wrote, "Dublin Granny…need you say more??" while another added, "All olympic grannies who can manage to attend in person should be given front row seats."
Image credits: Nine