- Sonia O’Sullivan is an Irish former track and field athlete. She won a gold medal in the 5000 metres at the 1995 World Championships, and a silver medal in the 5000 metres at the 2000 Olympic Games.[1] Her 2000 m world record of 5:25.36, set in 1994 stood until 2017.[2]
Sonia O’Sullivan and her husband, Nic Bideau, are together ever since they met in 1996 & married for almost two decades. Both were into track & field, so their common interest probably got them into a relationship.
Currently, her husband, Nic Bideau, serves as the coach & IAAF athlete representative for Melbourne International Track Club.
Together, Sonia and Nic are parents to two daughters: Ciara and Sophie.
Her youngest daughter Sophie followed in her mother’s footsteps in athletics. She even won the gold medal in the women’s 1500 m at the European Athletics U23 Championship.
As for her other daughter, Ciara, she found herself in administrative work & is openly queer.
A former track and field athlete Sonia O’Sullivan first gained notoriety, winning the 1550m at the 1991 Universiade.
From 1993 to 1995, she dominated international distance running, winning silver and gold in the 1993 and 1995 World Championships.
Sonia, however, experienced a downfall during the 1996-97 season, losing several events. After such a disappointing performance, she made an impressive comeback in 1998, becoming a two-time World Cross Country Champion.
With the victory, she joined Tirunesh Dibaba as the only two women to win the short and long-course titles at the same championship.
Throughout, the Irish professional broke several track and field records, reaching the pinnacle of her career.
Sonia enjoyed a successful career at the European Championships, securing three gold medals (once in 1994 and twice in 1998). Moreover, completing at 14:46.97, she finished third in the 2002 Sydney Olympics, winning a silver medal.
Despite a stellar career, she announced her retirement at the end of the 2007 season. Nevertheless, the ex-athlete is undoubtedly a massive inspiration to all aspiring athletes.
Sonia O’Sullivan Husband: Nic Bideau Is An Athlete-Turned-Coach
Like Sonia O Sullivan, her husband, Nic Bideau, an athlete and a fellow track lover, currently serves as a coach.
Born in 1960 in Melbourne, Australia, her husband Nic Bideau is -years-old now. Nic graduated from Victoria University with BE degree in health and physical education.
While at Victoria, he ran middle-distanced tracks, earning his name and fame.
However, later on, he decided to embark professionally as a coach. Though Nic was active in the running field for a long-time, he only rose to prominence after marrying Sonia.
Based on his LinkedIn profile, Nic serves as the president and coach of the Melbourne International Track Club. There he has been working for almost 27 years, coaching several athletes.
As a coach, Nic assists and guides athletes from different nations and events. He continuously serves to improve an athlete’s performance and their physical condition.
Undoubtedly, Nic is the best track and field coach of all time.
Previously, he worked at the Herald and Weekly Times as a sports journalist, covering news regarding athletic events.
Moreover, the athlete’s husband is active on Twitter under the handle @melbtrackclub, where he frequently shares sports news.
Married Life And Kids
Sonia O Sullivan and Nic Bideau began dating in 1996, and their relationship continued, mainly through emails.
After dating for a decade, the pair exchanged vows in 2006 around close friends and family. There lacks much specifics about their married life. However, even after years of marriage, their relationship still holds tight.
Moreover, Nic and Sonia are parents to two kids- Ciara and Sophie. Her eldest daughter, Ciara(born: July 10, 1999), studies at the university and focuses on her studies.
Following her mother’s footsteps, Sophie (born: December 23, 2001) began running tracks at ten.
She bagged a silver medal in the 800m at the 2018 European Athletics U18 Championship.
At the 2023 European Athletics U23 Championships held in Finland, Sophie won a gold medal in the 1500 m. Both their children strive to make them feel proud.
