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The Irish Sun

Tributes paid after death of trailblazing Olympics icon & ‘true pioneer' of Irish sport who ‘broke new ground for women'

TRIBUTES have been paid following the death of "true pioneer" Maeve Kyle - Ireland's first ever female track and field Olympian. Kyle sadly died on Wednesday at the age of 96 after a life defined by leading the way for female talents in both Advertisement 4 Maeve Kyle has died aged 96 Credit: Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE 4 She was Ireland's first ever female track and field Olympian Credit: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile 4 Kyle - front row, second from left - competed at the 1956, 1960 and 1964 Games Credit: Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE 4 Jim Dowdall, CEO, GloHealth, right, presents the gold medal for the Women's 100m Hurdles to Sarah Lavin, UCD AC, Dublin, in the company of silver medallist Shannen Dawkins, left, St Joseph's AC, Kilkenny, bronze medallist Naomi Morgan, City of Derry AC Spartans AC, and Maeve Kyle at the GloHealth Senior Track and Field Championships in 2014 Credit: Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE The Kilkenny-native became She went on to represent her country at the Olympics in 1960 and 1964, and was part of the track and field coaching team for In 2007, she and her late husband Sean - who died in 2015 - won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the inaugural National Athletics Awards Among her many other honours, Kyle was awarded the European Coaches Association Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006 and an honourary doctorate from the University of Ulster. Advertisement Read More on Olympics She was also appointed an OBE for her services to sport. Maeve Kyle is survived by her daughter Shauna. In an emotional statement, Athletics Ireland hailed her as a "true pioneer" who "broke new ground for women in Irish athletics". The association added: "Her presence on the international stage opened doors for countless others, and it was her courage, determination, and dignity on and off the track that truly set her apart. Advertisement Most read in Sport "Maeve Kyle was more than a legend; she was a torchbearer who lit the path for those who followed. "Her contribution to athletics spanned decades, from her ground-breaking career as a competitor to her roles as a coach, mentor, administrator, official, and advocate for women in sport and coaching structures. Olympic legend and third fastest woman of all time demolishes parents at school sports day "Her legacy lives on in the athletes she inspired and the standards she set. "On behalf of the athletics community across Ireland, Athletics Ireland extend our heartfelt condolences to her daughter Shauna, her granddaughter Indy, to the extended Kyle and Shankey families, her many friends, and all those whose lives she touched through her extraordinary career and enduring legacy." Advertisement Beyond athletics, Kyle was also a highly accomplished hockey player, winning over 50 caps for the Irish national team. "Her sporting career extended across Lochlann Walsh, President of the Olympic Federation of Ireland said: 'We have lost a legend of Irish Olympic Sport who rose to the top despite huge challenges in 1950s Ireland. "She was an inspiration to us all. May she rest in peace.' Advertisement CEO of the Olympic Federation of Ireland, Peter Sherrard, added: "Our thoughts today are with Maeve's extended family , friends. "Her achievements in life gave inspiration to so many Irish women who followed in her footsteps as Olympians."