UCD OFFICIALLY OPEN NEW TRACK

UCD offically opened the new track at Belfield earlier today (Sept 28th).

Israel Olatunde, who became Ireland's fastest man over 100m at the European Athletics Championships in Munich in August, was in attendance at the opening of the eight-lane track.

The former track, which closed in 2011, held a special place in Irish athletics history, with Eamonn Coghlan, Ray Flynn, Frank O'Mara and Marcus O'Sullivan setting a world record in the 4x1 mile relay there in 1985.

Olatunde, who is an undergraduate in computer science with data science at UCD, said: "It's an amazing facility and it's really great to be here to see all the planning come to fruition, and it's going to be a great addition to the club, the college and the community. So I'm really excited to get training.

"As athletes we don't have to travel around Dublin to get to the track, we've got one right here on our doorstep.

"In between classes, we can get out here, get our training done and it's really great to have."

The 20-year-old finished sixth in the 100m final at the European Athletics Championships in 10.17 seconds in Munich to eclipse Paul Hession's longstanding record and will now begin ratcheting up his preparations for next March's European Indoors in Istanbul.

"It's been great to see the reaction from everyone and it's given me so much motivation for the season ahead," he added.

"I'm looking forward to getting back to work and seeing what I can do."