Maeve Kyle, Ireland's pioneering female track and field Olympian, passed away at the age of 96. Her remarkable journey began at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, where she became the first Irish woman to compete in track and field events. Born in Kilkenny, Kyle initially excelled in hockey before transitioning to athletics after meeting her husband, Sean Kyle, in 1953.

Despite facing societal criticism and financial hurdles, Kyle persevered, competing in the 100m and 200m events at the Melbourne Olympics. Her resilience and dedication to the sport were evident as she continued to compete in subsequent Olympics in Rome and Tokyo, and later secured a bronze medal in the 400m at the 1966 European Indoor Championships.

Kyle's contributions extended beyond her athletic achievements. Alongside her husband, she co-founded the Ballymena & Antrim Athletics Club in 1955, where they nurtured numerous international athletes, including high jump stars Sharon McPeake and Janet Boyle. Their coaching legacy also influenced future Olympians like Mary Peters, who trained at their club early in her career.

During the turbulent 1970s in Northern Ireland, the Kyles played a pivotal role in promoting grassroots athletics through the Top Towns meetings, fostering unity and competition across communities. Maeve Kyle's leadership extended to managing both Great Britain and Ireland teams, and she coached the Irish relay squads at the 2000 Sydney Olympics at the age of 71.

Her accolades include being appointed an OBE in the 2008 New Year Honours list, induction into the RTE/Irish Sports Council's Hall of Fame, and receiving the Belfast Telegraph/Sport Northern Ireland's Hall of Fame honour in 2009. Maeve Kyle's enduring legacy in athletics and coaching continues to inspire generations of athletes.

Maeve Kyle was predeceased by her husband Sean in 2015 and is survived by her daughter, Shauna.