Philip Doyle, Dr.

When Philip Doyle applied to medical school, he was also an international hockey player. Frequently asked how he would balance a medical degree with elite sport, Philip decided to step away from competitive athletics. He then worked in various healthcare environments, including spending three months in a rural Cameroonian hospital. He secured a place in medical school but, after a year of exploring different sports, discovered rowing during his second year of university — introduced to the sport through a colleague at work and his concerned mother.

Philip quickly excelled in rowing, but it wasn’t until his final year of medical school that a new system in Irish rowing gave him the opportunity to compete internationally. After much deliberation, he decided to take time away from medicine to focus on rowing, eventually qualifying for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. He won a silver medal at the 2019 World Championships, positioning himself as a strong contender for the Olympics. However, when the Games were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Philip returned to work for eight months before preparing again for the rescheduled 2021 Olympics. Despite high expectations, especially after winning a silver medal in a World Cup event just two months prior, he placed 10th at the Olympics, a result that left him disappointed.