Philip Doyle is already a legend in Irish sports, with his name etched in the country’s rowing history books. Yet, with his place in the annals of history secured, he faces a tough decision, whether to retire from his athletic career to focus on his profession, or to chase the elusive Olympic championship that slipped through his grasp in Paris.

For now, all that’s known is what he shared in his recent remarks upon returning to his hometown of Banbridge this week: "Los Angeles isn’t in the plans, but it’s not ruled out either. Some conversations need to be had, especially with loved ones." The thing is, Doyle’s life isn’t solely defined by sports; it’s busier than a train at rush hour.

“You spend so much time away from your family and friends, missing weddings, christenings, and birthdays. I don’t think I’ve been home for my mother’s birthday since she turned... well, years ago!” joked the new icon of Irish rowing, clearly saddened by the long absences from his loved ones.

What’s remarkable is that Doyle, besides being an Olympic medalist, is also a brainiac. He studied Medicine at Queen's University in 2012 and started rowing in 2013. His prowess in the water led him to win the British University Championship as a novice in 2014.

Not content with focusing on just one field, Doyle, with his well-organised mind and understanding of the saying “don’t put all your eggs in one basket,” pursued a degree in Medical Sciences in 2016, graduating with first-class honours.

Later, recognising his potential as a professional rower, he made the wise decision to put his medical career on hold after graduating in 2018. He then balanced his passion for rowing with his first job as a doctor at Belfast City Hospital until 2019 when he committed to rowing full-time, seizing the opportunity to compete in the European Championships in Lucerne, where they placed 9th in one of his first international experiences.

Notwithstanding, his improvement was swift. The powerful Irish duo claimed a silver medal at the World Cup II in Rotterdam, a prelude to their breakout success at the World Championships, where they won silver in Ottensheim in 2019 and bronze in Belgrade in 2023.

Alongside his passion for rowing and medicine, he was hired to work as a model for Abercrombie. In short, his schedule was about to explode, and to top it off, the Paris Olympics arrived with all the preparation that entails. The outcome was a resounding success, as, after taking first place in their semifinal race, the two rowers, Lynch and Doyle, clocked a time of 6:15.17 to claim bronze in the men’s double sculls final.

"I hope I leave a small legacy for heavyweight men’s rowing in Ireland," he said after stepping onto the Olympic podium with his teammate, excited about the impact of his presence on the aquatic sport, which is on the rise in his country. "I hope it inspires more kids to get involved in rowing as they grow up; I hope it brings more funding to the sport and encourages people to be healthier and happier,” Doyle declared.

Irish Olympic athletes were welcomed home by thousands of enthusiastic fans in the capital, celebrating the team’s best medal haul ever, with four golds included, surpassing their record of six medals at London 2012. Most of the 133 athletes Ireland sent to the Paris Olympics recently attended a celebratory event in Dublin on Monday afternoon.

In light of this positive momentum, and with nearly four years to decide his future, the next move is now up to Doyle in this journey called life. Will he don his lab coat, picking up syringes and medications, or will he grab his oars and make history in California?