John Cronin takes up his position as President of Athletics Ireland

A special moment as John Cronin (Tullamore Harriers) officially takes up his position as President of Athletics Ireland at the conclusion of today’s virtual Congress.

The Donegal native succeeds Georgina Drumm who was the first female President of Athletics Ireland.

John served as Competition Secretary for Offaly Athletics and was honoured with Life Presidency in 2020, he was also honoured by Offaly Sports Partnership for “Lifetime Contribution to Sport” in 2016.

He was elected chair of Leinster Athletics and elected to the Board of BLE in 1998 and Team Manager for Irish Athletics team for Riga International (Latvia) in 1999.

After working for almost twenty years in athletic administration at county and provincial level John continued at National level, as a Member of Athletics Ireland Technical Committee, and Member of Athletics Ireland Competition Committee, both of which he chaired.

In 2013 John was Competition Director for the 2013 European Team Championships and Competition Director for Ireland’s bid to host the 2017 European Cross Country. Ireland will host the 2021 European Cross Country Championships later this year in Dublin-Fingal.

John became a European International Technical Official in 2005, officiating at multiple European athletic meets including Chief International Technical Official at the European Team Championships Super League in 2010, European Junior Championships in 2011, European Technical Delegate at the 2013 U23 Championships and at the European U23 Championships in 2015. He served as ITO at the European Senior Outdoor Championships in 2016 and in 2018.

John was promoted to world athletics when he was elected as an IAAF International Technical Official in 2013 was elected onto the IAAF Technical Committee in 2015 and has officiated at some major European and International athletics events since then. The Technical Committee manages World Athletics rules and regulations - they have responsibility for competition rules, stadiums and facilities, equipment including technology and implements.

John was appointed to the Jury of Appeal and will officiate at the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo in July.

 A statement for Tullamore Harrier read:

"This is a huge honour for John and his wife Dympna, his extended family and friends, and for all of us in Tullamore Harriers.

John has been immersed in athletics all his life, as a young athlete in his native Donegal, throughout his collage career,and to our good fortune, as an adult with Tullamore Harriers since coming to Tullamore in 1983 to take up employment. John as served on numerous committees, holding roles at club , county, provincial and National level. Somehow juggling this workload with his position on World Athletic Technical Committee and his duties as an International Technical Official. John is held in the highest esteem in ever corner of the country, and further afield. John’s constant good humour along with his generosity , both with his time and knowledge are well known. John has been a perfect ambassador for our club for many years.

John starts an new chapter of this athletic life , as President of our Association. We have no doubt, that under John’s guidance and leadership our sport will continue to forge forward to achieve the highest possible standards in every aspect of athletics. We are immensely proud of John, and are privileged to call him one of our own. On my own behalf and on behalf of all the clubs members, I wish to acknowledge all of John’s achievements to date and to wish him ever possible good fortune in the role of president."

We wish John all the best in his new role.