Athletics Ireland has announced an initial squad for June's European Athletics Championships in Rome.
This announcement confirms the selection of those with A standards and the qualified relay teams, while athletes qualifying via ranking position and having achieved a B standard will be confirmed after European Athletics produces its final list of qualifiers on 29 May.
Previous championship medal winners Thomas Barr (Ferrybank AC), Ciara Mageean (City of Lisburn AC), and Mark English (Finn Valley AC) are all set to feature, while two-time world indoor finalist Sarah Lavin (Emerald AC) will have her sights set on making her second major championship final of the season.
Multiple national record holder Rhasidat Adeleke (Tallaght AC) has opted against competing in the 200m and will spearhead a strong Irish challenge in the women's 400m, alongside the in-form pair Sharlene Mawdsley (Newport AC) and Sophie Becker (Raheny Shamrock), with all three also selected in exciting 400m relays squads.
The Irish relay teams have enjoyed tremendous success in global competition over the past 12 months, capped off most recently with the mixed 4x400m team claiming a brilliant bronze at the World Relays in the Bahamas.
Four relay teams have been selected, with the mixed 4x400m once again looking particularly formidable.
Ireland also look to have a strong hand in the women’s 1500m, with Sarah Healy (UCD AC) set to join Ciara Mageean on the start line while Andrew Coscoran (Star of the Sea AC) will lead the Irish charge in the men’s 1500m, alongside Nick Griggs (Candour Track Club) and Luke McCann (Dublin City Harriers AC).
Brian Fay (Raheny Shamrock AC) will head the Irish challenge in the endurance events, with fellow clubmate Eric Favors (Raheny Shamrock AC) returning from injury as he looks to post another big performance in the shot put.
The event will take place from 7-12 June, 50 years after the Italian capital last staged the European Championships.
Speaking at today’s team announcement, Athletics Ireland high performance director Paul McNamara said: "While the primary focus in 2024 firmly remains the Paris Olympic Games, the European Championships is a key event for us and one where we intend to further enhance our growing reputation as a nation at major championships, and make a statement of our performance intent.
"With four relay teams qualified and confirmed, and 22 individual athletes having achieved an A standard for this championship we will be competing for honours across multiple events.
"We anticipate a further 10 or so athletes will be confirmed as qualified by European Athletics in the coming days.
"This would constitute the largest team we have ever sent to this championships, despite the increasingly demanding qualification standards, and is further evidence of the progress made by our sport."
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