Athletics Ireland have confirmed a team of 17 to the Olympic Council of Ireland for the Games in Rio next month.
Ciara Mageean received a heroes welcome as she returned with the bronze medal she won in the Women's 1500m! pic.twitter.com/CGJINNMyQ3
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European bronze medallist Ciara Mageean and Robert Heffernan, who is to be retrospectively awarded the Olympic 50km race walk bronze medal from London 2012, are both included.
Heffernan becomes the first Irish athlete to be selected for five consecutive summer Games
“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,” Athletics Ireland High Performance Director Kevin Ankrom said.
“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.”
Fionnuala Mc Cormack, who came fourth in the 10,000 metres at the European championships, will run in the marathon.
Team selection Event
Ciara Mageean 1,500m
Thomas Barr 400m Hurdles
Kevin Seaward Marathon
Mick Clohisey Marathon
Paul Pollock Marathon
Kerry O’Flaherty 3000m Steeplechase
Michele Finn 3000m Steeplechase
Sara Treacy 3000m Steeplechase
Tori Pena Pole Vault
Fionnuala McCormack 10,000m/Marathon
Lizzie Lee Marathon
Breege Connolly Marathon
Mark English 800m
Alex Wright 20km Race Walk/ 50km Race Walk
Robert Heffernan 50km Race Walk
Brendan Boyce 50km Race Walk
Ciara Everard 800m
