Athletics:A "small but quality" team has been announced for the World Track and Field Championships in Istanbul next month by Athletics Ireland today.
Three athletes - Ciaran O’ Lionaird (1500m), Derval O’Rourke (60m hurdles) and Ben Reynolds (60m hurdles) – will represent Ireland in Turkey, with the latter debuting after breaking his under-23 record at the International Flanders Athletics Meeting in Belgium earlier in the month.
Brian Gregan of Clonliffe Harriers was also eligible to travel but declined the opportunity in favour of preparing for the European Track and Field Championships which take place in Helsinki in late June.
O’Rourke will be appearing at the event for the first time since winning the world title in 2006. Her preparation has been hampered by a foot injury but competitive action prior to London 2012 was too valuable to turn down.
Her climate O’Lionaird was 10th in Daegu last year, having made astonishing progress in the 1500m and he’s confident after setting a new personal best of 3:54.76 in the mile at the USA Track and Field Classic recently.
“It’s a great honour to represent Ireland at a global event again,” said the US-based athlete. “I think the competition will be really tough but my preparation has gone very well but I need to be tactically aware in order to make sure I progress to the final. I am hoping to improve on my placing from Daegu and gain more experience for London.”
Timetable - Irish Time
Friday, March 9th
10:55M 1500 Metres Heats
15:00W 60 Metres Hurdles Heats
Saturday, March 10th
07:40M 60 Metres Hurdles Heats
15:10W 60 Metres Hurdles Semi-Final
17:00M 1500 Metres Final
17:45W 60 Metres Hurdles Final
Sunday, March 11th
12:45M 60 Metres Hurdles Semi-Final
15:20M 60 Metres Hurdles Final