As she prepares to make her World Championship debut, Irish para-sprinter Lana Sutton speaks with Rob Hartnett about the excitement and nerves of competing at the highest level, the influence of her Irish heritage, the transition from rugby to athletics, and her hopes for the road ahead — including a pathway that could yet lead all the way to the Paralympics in Los Angeles.

Rob Hartnett: Welcome to the big time of Irish Paralympic sport — your first World Championship point. How does that feel?

Lana Sutton: Very exciting, though I’d be lying if I said there weren’t nerves too. There are so many unknowns, but for me the goal is to learn what a major championship feels like. I want to come away with a solid understanding of what it takes to compete at this level.

RH: You travelled to Paris last year for the Paralympics to experience a major tournament environment. How valuable was that for your preparation?

LS: It was incredible, and I was really grateful to be selected. There are so many little things you don’t think about until you’re actually there, and we were lucky to have Michael Wager pointing out the details we might have missed. Just being in that environment with Team Ireland, surrounded by such a strong community, was very special.

RH: Speaking of Michael, he’s also a CP athlete. Tell us a little about your own sporting journey, because athletics wasn’t your first love, was it?

LS: No, not at all. As a child I did a lot of dance, but at university I started playing rugby — that’s when I really fell in love with sport. Rugby taught me the value of community, which was very important for me. When I eventually moved into para-athletics, I wanted to find that same sense of community within disability sport, and the Irish team made that transition really supportive.

RH: You’ve spoken about your Irish heritage. As I understand it, you could have claimed three passports?

LS: That’s right. I was born in Australia, grew up in London, and my dad is Irish. He was very influential in shaping my sense of nationality through sport. He’d probably have disowned me if I’d supported England! Choosing to compete for Ireland was a very easy decision. I’ve never been part of the British system — Ireland has always felt like the natural choice.

RH: And your dad’s family has some political history too?

LS: Yes, my great-grandfather was John Costello, a former Taoiseach. It wasn’t a big part of my upbringing, more a family fun fact, but it’s still a nice link and a source of pride knowing your family helped shape the country.

RH: Let’s talk about the track. You ran at the National Championships this year — how was that experience?

LS: A mixed bag results-wise, but a brilliant experience. In the 200m, I had Sarah Lavin chasing me down — she caught me quickly, which was scary but also exciting! Just being in the call room alongside Ireland’s best athletes was inspiring.

RH: And you raced Orla Comerford too?

LS: Yes, in the 100m. It was our first time racing, though our categories are very different. I’d never compare myself to her times, but it was great to see her process up close.

RH: Next stop is New Delhi. Have you ever been to India?

LS: Not yet, but I will soon! Preparation is complicated — especially with the heat, which will be new for me. But because everything is new at this stage, I just take it in stride and learn as I go.

RH: This will be your first major championship as a competitor.

LS: Yes, and it’s incredibly exciting. It’s been tough to get here, but definitely worth it.

RH: You’re 26, turning 27 shortly. That maturity must help. Do you study your competition or focus on yourself?

LS: I like to have a rough idea, but ultimately you can’t control who’s on the start line. The best thing is to focus on your own race.

RH: You’ll run both the 100m and 200m. How do you find that transition?

LS: I only ran my first 200m in May, so it’s still new. It’s about control and learning cues. The 200 is also a stepping stone for me towards the 400 next year, since the 200 isn’t in my category for Los Angeles. With CP, longer distances can be difficult, but we’re exploring how my body responds.

RH: Physically, are there challenges specific to you?

LS: Yes. Pain signals don’t always translate well, so sometimes I don’t get the warning signs before my body gives up. That’s stressful. My shoulder and hands are affected too, which makes block starts difficult. I wear a splint for thumb support. And honestly, I discover new symptoms all the time. It’s challenging but part of the process.

RH: You mentioned rugby earlier — what position did you play?

LS: Mostly wing, later some fullback. Speed and a bit of safety thrown in!

RH: Before I let you go, if Ireland’s Green Wave faced England’s Red Roses at a Rugby World Cup — who are you cheering for?

LS: Ireland, all the way. Absolutely.

RH: Great answer. Best of luck in New Delhi — and I hear you’ll be at Ireland v New Zealand in Brighton before you fly?

LS: Yes, I’ve got tickets and I live in Brighton at the moment. Looking forward to it!

RH: Then the very best of luck with your first major championship. We’ll look forward to following your journey in the years ahead.

 

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