The first of the films in the 'Nissan - Road to Rio’ series features Cork race walker Rob Heffernan
CORK race walker Rob Heffernan is the first to feature in Nissan’s series of short films that provide a remarkable insight into the lives of Ireland’s Olympians and their bid to secure gold medals at the Rio Olympic Games.
Heffernan is Ireland’s longest serving Olympian and the first Irish athlete to qualify for five Olympic Games.
The former world champion and his wife and coach Marian, who also represented Ireland at the London 2012 Olympic Games, have embarked on a unique journey to achieve their Olympic dream while balancing life as parents to four young children.
The short film reveals a candid insight into what it takes to succeed at the top flight of sport and the motivating factors behind Rob’s final bid to win a gold medal at his last Olympic Games, with stunning footage of his rigorous training regime shot at Fota Island in his native Cork.
The other Nissan ambassadors who star in the series include Arthur Lanigan O’Keeffe who is the current European Modern Pentathlon champion and brothers Paul and Gary O’Donovan from Skibbereen who will represent Ireland in the lightweight double sculls.
Also featured is Dublin canoeist Jenny Egan, who claimed Ireland’s first ever medal at the Senior European Canoe Sprint Championship with bronze in the K1 5,000 metres event and who is aiming to qualify for the Rio Games along with Kerry rower Monika Dukarska and Dublin sprinter Catherine McManus.