Student Sport Ireland has confirmed a formidable athletics squad as part of Team Ireland for the 32nd World University Games, taking place from July 16–27 in the Rhine-Ruhr region of Germany. The athletics team, featuring nine standout student-athletes, is poised to make a significant impact on the global stage.
A strong athletics representation will be headlined by Kate O’Connor (Heptathlon), Sophie O’Sullivan (1,500m), Nicola Tuthill (Hammer), Toluwabori Akinola (100m, University College Dublin), Oisin Lane (20k Walk, University of Limerick), Laura Nicholson (1,500m, University of Toledo), Ava O’Connor (Steeplechase, Adams State University), Jack Raftery (400m, Dublin City University), and Lauren Roy (200m, Tarleton State University).
Speaking at the official team announcement at TU Dublin Grangegorman, Head of Delegation Niamh O’Callaghan emphasised the significance of the Games:
“The World University Games is a pivotal moment in an athlete’s journey — a chance to compete on the global stage, represent Ireland with pride, and showcase the incredible standard of student sport in this country.”
The athletics competition will be one of the marquee events at the Games, which are expected to host over 8,500 athletes and officials from more than 100 countries. With a blend of Olympic pedigree and rising stars, Team Ireland’s athletics squad is ready to make its mark.
Follow the team’s journey and competition updates via the Student Sport Ireland World University Games Hub at http://www.studentsport.ie and on Student Sport Ireland’s social media platforms
World University Games Medals (Athletics)
- 1930 400m Patrick C Moore BRONZE 50.0
- 1961 800m Ronnie Delany GOLD 1.51.1
- 1961 Hammer John Lawlor BRONZE 63.33m
- 1991 1500m Niall Bruton GOLD 3.50.69
- 1991 1500m Sonia O’Sullivan GOLD 4.12.14
- 1991 3,000m Sonia O’Sullivan SILVER 8.56.35
- 1993 Discus Nick Sweeney BRONZE 62.52m
- 2001 1500m Gareth Turnbull SILVER 3.44.21
- 2003 200m Paul Hession SILVER 20.89 (-0.7)
- 2005 200m Paul Hession BRONZE 21.02 (+1.1)
- 2005 100m Ailis McSweeney SILVER 11.68 (+1.1)
- 2005 5,000m Jolene Byrne BRONZE 15.56.01
- 2005 100m Hurdles Derval O’Rourke BRONZE 13.02 (+0.5)
- 2005 4x100m Team BRONZE 44.49
- 2007 Hammer Eileen O’Keeffe SILVER 68.46m
- 2015 400m Hurdles Thomas Barr GOLD 48.78
- 2019 200m Marcus Lawler BRONZE 20.55 (0.5)
