The 44-year-old from Dublin won bronze at the World Amateur Championships in Moscow in 1989 but he became a huge star after his victory in Barcelona where he claimed Ireland's only gold medal of the Olympics.

"It's microwave fame; instant fame," said Carruth.

"Your life is turned on its head.

"You can't go for a drink anymore, you can't walk down the street without being recognised.

"This is where the Olympic Committees have to step up to the mark.

"I think there should be some kind of policy to counsel athletes to the reality that things might never be the same again.

"It's not just the intrusiveness of the media, it's also when you're going about your everyday life."

Carruth pointed to the tragic case of Ireland's Darren Sutherland (pictured) as an obvious example of fame gone wrong.

Sutherland won bronze at the Beijing 2008 Olympics at middleweight before turning professional and winning his first four fights but he was found dead in September 2009 in his London apartment by his promoter Frank Maloney at just 27.

He is alleged to have committed suicide by hanging himself after suffering from depression but an investigation is still continuing.

"You look at poor Darren Sutherland who went pro when he went to London," said Carruth.

"We don't know for certain the circumstances of his death but all we know is, unfortunately, his life was lost probably by his own means."

Carruth also suggested that Beijing 2008 Olympic silver medallist Kenny Egan (pictured) from Dublin may also have tempered his behaviour somewhat had he been schooled on the pitfalls of overnight fame.

Egan, who is now aiming for London 2012 gold, publically admitted earlier this year that he suffered from a severe alcohol problem and that his drinking and socialising began to get out of control when he returned from Beijing as a national hero after he captained the team that claimed three medals in China.

"I've known Kenny Egan for years and he would probably be the first to admit that he was his own worst enemy," said Carruth.

"Kenny has openly admitted that he couldn't handle the pressure.

"Kenny let it get to him."

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