Rio Olympic team nominated for selection - Athletics Ireland
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Rio Olympic team nominated for selection

12 July 2016

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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

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