A team of 31 Irish athletes will take their place among the over 1,100 competitors at this week’s European Athletics U23 Championships which get underway in Espoo, Finland tomorrow (July 12th – 16th).
Ireland will battle it out with 40 other European Federations as they look to add to the nine Irish medals (individual) which have been secured at these championships since its inception in 1997.
While a key championship in serving as a final launching pad into senior competition, Ireland has enjoyed much success in recent editions, with Olympians Nadia Power (800m bronze 2019), Eilish Flanagan (3,000m s/c silver 2019), and David Kenny (20km walk 2021) all securing podium finishes.
This year’s team will also look to another of the Tokyo Olympians to lead the way, with UCD’s Sarah Healy heading into this week ranked number one in the 1,500m. Healy will take her place in the heats of the 1,500m on Saturday morning, where she will be joined by teammate Sophie O’Sullivan who is ranked number two.
Healy will look to add to the silver medal (1,500m) she won at the U20 European Championships in 2019, while O’Sullivan will also go in search of her second European track medal following her silver medal (800m) at the U18 European Championships in 2018.
Away from the women’s 1,500m, a bold showing can be expected from Nicola Tuthill (Hammer Throw), Israel Olatunde (100m), Reece Ademola (Long Jump), Jane Buckley (5,000m), Shay McEvoy (5,000m), Anika Thompson (10,000), and Cian McPhillips (800m) to name a few.
Leading out the Irish team on Wednesday afternoon will be Oisin Lane of Mullingar Harriers in the 20km Race Walk (4.30pm Irish time) where he is sure to have a top 10 placing on his mind.
A further 12 Irish athletes will make their debut at the championships on Thursday, starting with Nicola Tuthill (UCD) who goes in the qualifying round of the Hammer from 7.40am (Irish time).
All the action from Espoo will be streamed live on All Athletics TV in partnership with RTE.
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