Irish Dance to Olympic Glory

With the excitement of the Olympics this summer, it's inspiring to see how the foundations of Irish Dance have played a crucial role in the athletic success of some of our favorite Olympians. Shannon Rowbury and Katie Ledecky, both former Irish Dancers, have made remarkable achievements in their sports. Here's an update on their journeys as they continue to shine on the Olympic stage.

Shannon Rowbury – NBC Correspondent at Paris 2024

Shannon Rowbury, a seasoned Olympian, has transitioned from the track to the commentary booth for the Paris 2024 Olympics. After competing in the 2008, 2012, and 2016 Olympics, where she notably finished fourth in the 1500 meters in Rio 2016, Shannon has taken on a new role as a track and field analyst for NBC Universal. This move marks her debut in Olympic broadcasting, allowing her to share her expertise and insights with a global audience.

Shannon pictured at the London 2012 Olympics with silver medal holder - runner Leo Manzano

Throughout her career, Shannon has been a prominent figure in American middle-distance running. She credits her early Irish Dance training for her exceptional posture and endurance, which have been crucial in her running success.

Shannon Rowbury looking poised during her dancing days!

Shannon initially danced with the Healy School of Irish Dance in California and later transferred to the Boyle School. Reflecting on her Irish Dance roots in a 2016 interview with Irish Dancing Magazine, she said, “My adorable Nonie, Aileen Catherine Sheedy from County Clare, signed me up for Irish Dancing classes when I was just 5 years old after I broke my leg in kindergarten. She figured the dancing lessons would strengthen my bones so I would never break my legs again. I trained and competed in dance until I was 16 years old. Little did any of us know that Irish Dancing would be the foundation behind my success as a professional runner.”

Shannon reporting live from the Olympics as seen on her Instagram

Shannon’s journey from competitive Irish Dance to the Olympic track and now a professional broadcast career highlights how diverse experiences can lead to greatness.

Katie Ledecky – Nine-Time Olympic Gold Medalist – Team USA

Katie Ledecky, a swimming powerhouse, dominated her sport at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Entering the games with seven gold medals, she added a bronze medal in the 400m freestyle event and subsequently won gold in the 800m and 1500m freestyle events. This brings her total to nine Olympic gold medals and 14 Olympic medals overall, including three silver and two bronze​. She also broke the Olympic record in the 1500m freestyle with a time of 15:30.02, showcasing her extraordinary talent.

As seen on Katie's Instagram page - WOW!!

One little known fact about Katie is that as a young child Ledecky had a brief 2–3-year stint in Irish Dancing at the Maple School of Irish Dance in Bethesda, Maryland. In a 2016 interview with Irish Dancing Magazine, dance teacher Marnie Maple shared that Katie’s focus and determination were evident even back then.

Katie Ledecky - front row, green shorts, far left - A throwback photo to her dancing days.

In winning the 800 at the 2024 Olympics, Ledecky also became the seventh Olympian to win four consecutive gold medals in the same event — and the second swimmer after Phelps (who won the 200 IM in four consecutive Olympiads). Reflecting on her historic Olympics, Ledecky said, "Four times is the one that means the most to me,” explaining why she showed four fingers at the finish​ (www.teamusa.com)​.

Many of the world’s most successful Irish Dance competitors have repeatedly shared the discipline and dedication learned in the dance studio influence achievements in other areas of life. While Shannon has transitioned to a new role as an Olympic commentator, Katie continues to excel in the pool. Their continued success and contributions at the 2024 Summer Olympics are a testament to their incredible talent, hard work and dedication.

The Irish Dancing world has enjoyed following the post-dance careers of both Shannon and Katie and we are definitely having a “fangirling” moment. So, the next time a little beginner walks through a dance school’s doors, you might be seeing a future World Irish Dancing champion or even a potential Olympic Champion. Shannon and Katie’s journeys inspire not only the Irish Dancing community but also the broader world of sports.

For more detailed updates on their performances and careers, visit:
Shannon Rowbury on TeamUSA.com
Katie Ledecky on TeamUSA.com

Read more inspiring stories about dancers across the globe inside the pages of Irish Dancing Magazine. We INSPIRE. We EDUCATE. We MOTIVATE. WE ARE IDM! Don’t miss a single issue