Athletics Ireland have announced an initial squad selection for the upcoming European Athletics Championships which take place in Rome from June 7th – 12th.
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 29th May.
Previous championship medal winners Thomas Barr, Ciara Mageean, and Mark English are all set to return to European action, while two-time world indoor finalist Sarah Lavin will have sights set on making her second major championship final of the season.
Multiple national record holder, Rhasidat Adeleke, will spearhead a strong looking Irish challenge in the women’s 400m alongside the in-form pair Sharlene Mawdsley and Sophie Becker, 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 set to join Ciara Mageean on the start line, while Andrew Coscoran will lead the Irish charge in the men’s 1500m alongside Nick Griggs and Luke McCann.
Brian Fay will head the Irish challenge in the endurance events, with fellow clubmate Eric Favors returning from injury as he looks to post another big performance in the shot put.
“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,” said Athletics Ireland Director of High Performance, Paul McNamara.
“With four relay teams qualified and confirmed, and twenty-two individual athletes having achieved an A standard for this championship we will be competing for honours across multiple events.”
“We anticipate a further ten 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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