Sonia's retirement news is premature

Athletics : Contrary to reports this lunch-time, Sonia O'Sullivan will not be retiring following this April's Great BUPA Ireland…

O'Sullivan comes agonisingly close to snatching gold during an
5,000m duel with Romania's Gabriela Szabo
O'Sullivan comes agonisingly close to snatching gold during an 5,000m duel with Romania's Gabriela Szabo

Athletics: Contrary to reports this lunch-time, Sonia O'Sullivan will not be retiring following this April's Great BUPA Ireland run in the Phoenix Park.

While it may represent the 37-year-old's final road and mass participation race in this country, O'Sullivan still intends to race at the Cork Sports in July and the Cobh athlete is also determined to compete at the Irish trials and challenge for a place in the side for the European Cross-Country Championships in December.

A statement released by organisers of the Great BUPA Ireland Run earlier today had claimed O'Sullivan would hang up her spikes following the race on April 15th.

"The Great BUPA Ireland Run is my favourite event and I want my competitive career here to end on a high note in this fantastic race with thousands of participants," the 37-year-old was quoted as saying.

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Subsequent calls to the public relations firm who released the statement confirmed O'Sullivan's decision to retire but it appears the organisers jumped the gun.

The misleading information also gave cause for the Taoiseach and Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism to convey their best wishes to one of Ireland's greatest athletes.