Athletes from over 20 countries are expected to take part in this weekend’s Dublin Grand Prix of Race Walking led by Italian Olympic Champion Alex Schwazer and Olympic Bronze Medalist Elisa Riguando and Ireland’s world class duo Rob Heffernan and Olive Loughnane.

Heffernan and Loughnane, both of whom placed in the top 8 in last year’s Beijing Olympics have subsequently built on that good form while narrowly missing out on historic individual medals at last month’s European Cup in France when they both took 4th position over their specialised 20km distance.

This weekend’s event, which incorporates the National 20km Walk Championship and takes place on Sunday in Dublin’s Phoenix Park, is a rare opportunity for both of them to compete in front of their home supporters and both are keen to put on a worthy show.

Loughnane in particular has really progressed in the past 18 months and can now lay credible claims to a major championship medal. A three-time Olympian, the Galway born Cork based athlete will have top class company to pit her wits against including Olympic bronze medallist Elisa Rigaudo from Italy, Dublin based Slovakian record holder Zuzana Malikova as well as a number of strong competitors from Mexico, Guatamala, Sweden, Hungary, Portugal and Brazil.

“I love the course in the Phoenix Park and have done some of my best times on it in the past so I’m really looking forward to the race” said Loughnane earlier this week. “As always there is a top class field assembled and as I was only a little over 30 seconds off the bronze medal in Beijing I’m looking forward to giving Rigaudo a special welcome to Dublin” she added with a smile.

Heffernan on the other hand has a nearly half a dozen major championship top 8 performances to his name and this weekend’s event will be his final 20km before the World Athletics Championships in Berlin in August and he will be looking for a fast time to give him the necessary confidence booster ahead of championships.

“I’ve had a few niggles throughout the season but thankfully everything is going well again now and Sunday will be crucial to my Berlin performances” said Heffernan.

Ireland’s other two qualifiers for Berlin, Jamie Costin and Colin Griffin will also compete over their shorter distance of 20km in preparation for the 50km in Berlin.

Sunday’s race takes place under a European Athletics Permit and is also part of the IAAF Race Walking Challenge

A development squad has will also been selected to be part of Small Nation’s Race Walking Championships which will run concurrently with the Grand Prix event.

Ireland: Small Nations Race-walking Panel 2009, including subs.

Senior Men’s 20km
Brendan Boyce Milford
David Kidd S.L.O.T.
Michael Doyle Tara
John Egan Bree
Paul Fitzpatrick Shercock

Women’s 10km
Laura Reynolds Mohill
Fiona Dennehy St. Senans
Caitriona McMahon St. Mary’s

Junior Men’s 10km
Niall Prendiville Farranfore Maine Valley
Cian McManamon Westport
Owen McCabe North Belfast

Team Leader: Pat Ryan
IAAF Judge: Pierce O’Callaghan