Ireland team announced for Barcelona 2010 – European Athletics (EAA) – News

Olive Loughnane, a silver medallist at the 2009 IAAF World Championships in 20km walk, has been named in the 30-strong Ireland team for the 20th European Athletics Championships in Barcelona between 26th July to 1st August.

The squad was selected following last weekend’s AAI Senior Track and Field Championships in Santry. The team will feature all of Ireland’s top athletes including two-time European indoor 400m champion David Gillick and Derval O’Rourke, who will compete in the 100m hurdles along with Paul Hession in the 100m and 200m.

For the first time three relay teams have also been named. Final selection for the team will be announced on July 27th.

Loughnane, who had to pull out of the national championships on medical advice, is now cleared to compete in Barcelona and is optimistic ahead of the championships.

Paralympian Jason Smyth is also named in the squad and will compete in the 100m pending medical clearance on a minor injury. A new addition to the Irish team is Pole Vaulter, Tori Pena, who won the event at the National Championships on Saturday.

“We are delighted with the initial team selection for Barcelona. We targeted improvements from Göteborg 2 years ago and this now seems to be coming to fruition. This strength of athletics in Ireland was clearly evident at this year’s European Team Championships in Budapest where we dominated on the track and maintained our First League status. All the signs look positive as the clock ticks down towards London 2012. A major bonus this year is the inclusion of 3 relay teams. This clearly indicates that our sprinters are prepared to step and make their presence felt,” said Irish team manager Patsy McGonagle.

European Athletics (EAA) – News 

Ireland Team