Rio Olympic team nominated for selection
17 strong Irish team nominated for Olympics
Athletics Ireland are delighted to announce the full team for selection for nomination to the Olympic Council of Ireland for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in August.
17 athletes have been nominated and it includes European 1500m bronze medallist Ciara Mageean (UCD) and Robert Heffernan (Togher) who is to be retrospectively rewarded the Olympic 50km race walk bronze medal from London 2012.
Athletics Ireland High Performance Director Kevin Ankrom said:
“I believe this will be a very competitive team for the Olympic Games as a few of our key athletes are coming back into form after a long season of injuries.
“Thomas Barr has come off an encouraging European championships showing improvement every round of racing. Mark English will continue his return to form racing all this month and Ciara Mageean has emerged as a as another potential finalist in Rio.
“Robert Heffernan will be a strong contender for a medal at these Games having massive championship experience under his belt and a good season build-up. I am always proud to be a part of an Irish Olympic team and I look forward to all of our selected athletes stepping on the track and doing their best.”
Team selection
Ciara Mageean
Club: UCD
Event: 1500
Personal best: 4:06.49
Coach: Jerry Kiernan
Thomas Barr
Club: Ferrybank
Event: 400m Hurdles
Personal best: 48.65
Coach: Haley and Drew Harrison
Kevin Seaward
Club: St Malachy’s
Event: Marathon
Personal best: 2:14:52
Coach: Andrew Hobdell
Mick Clohisey
Club: Raheny Shamrock
Event: Marathon
Personal best: 2:15:11
Coach: Dick Hooper
Paul Pollock
Club: Annadale Striders
Event: Marathon
Personal best: 2:15:38
Coach: Andrew Hobdell
Kerry O’Flaherty
Club: Newcastle
Event: 3000m Steeplechase
Personal best: 9:42.61
Coach: Richard Rodgers
Michelle Finn
Club: Leevale
Event: 3000mSC
Personal best: 9:43.19
Coach: Donie Walsh
Sara Treacy
Club: Dunboyne
Event: 3000m Steeplechase
Personal best: 9:42.16
Coach: Bud Baldaro
Tori Pena
Club: Finn Valley
Event: Pole Vault
Personal best: 4.60m
Coach: Greg Hull
Fionnuala McCormack
Club: Kilcoole
Event: 10.000m/Marathon
Personal best: 31:29.22/2:31:46
Coach: self
Lizzie Lee
Club: Leevale
Event: Marathon
Personal best: 2:32:51
Coach: Donie Walsh
Breege Connolly
Club: North Belfast Harriers
Event: Marathon
Personal best: 2:37:29
Coach: Martin Deane/Paul Elliot
Mark English
Club: UCD
Event: 800m
Personal Best: 1:44.84
Coach: Steve Magness
Alex Wright
Club: Leevale
Event: 20km Race Walk/ 50km Race Walk
Personal Best: 1:21:56/3:48:31
Coach: Robert Heffernan
Robert Heffernan
Club: Togher
Event: 50km Race Walk
Personal best: 3:37:54
Coach: Marian Heffernan
Brendan Boyce
Club: Letterkenny
Event: 50km Race Walk
Personal best: 3:48:55
Coach: Robert Heffernan
Ciara Everard
Club: UCD
Event: 800m
Personal Best: 2:01.21
Coach: James Nolan
For Selection Consideration an athlete must achieve the Olympic Games entry standard
Qualification Period:
1 January 2015 to 23 May 2016 (Marathon, 50km Race Walks)
1 January 2015 to 11 July 2016 (Relays)
1 January 2015 to 11 July 2016 (All Events)
Policy: HERE