This morning’s Olympic results were mixed for the Irish athletes as they showcased remarkable performances and agonising misses in Paris.
Sarah Lavin was the first Irish competitor to take the track today, and she delivered a standout performance in the 100m hurdles. Lavin, who is competing in her second Olympic Games, surged ahead with a time of 12.73 seconds, outpacing European silver medalist Ditaji Kambundji in the process, to finish in second place. This impressive result automatically propels Lavin into the semi-finals, scheduled for Friday morning. With a valuable day of rest tomorrow, the nine-time National Champion will be eager to build on her success and the nation is keenly anticipating her semi-final effort.
Following Lavin, Brian Fay ran in his 5000m heat. Despite a determined performance, Fay finished in 13th place, falling short of the top 8 required to advance. This was Fay’s debut Olympics, and while he won’t progress further, his effort has earned him commendation. Reflecting on his race, Fay told RTE, “I’m going to make a Major Championship Final one of these days,” signalling his determination for future competitions.
Mark English was up next in the 800m heat, and he did not disappoint. English secured his spot in the semi-finals with a brilliant second-place finish and a time of 1:45.15. This result means that English avoids the repechage and will head into Friday’s semi-final well-rested and ready to compete. As the National Record holder, English has strong national support and the nation will be with him once again on Friday.
Sophie O'Sullivan then took to the track for her 1500m repechage. Despite a great effort, O'Sullivan finished fourth with a time of 4:03.73, just missing out on qualification by a single position. At just 22 years old, O'Sullivan’s future in athletics looks bright, and she will undoubtedly have more opportunities on the international stage.
Rounding off the morning’s Irish performances was Sarah Healy, also in a 1500m repechage. Healy ran a brilliant 4:07.60 but, like O'Sullivan, finished fourth, narrowly missing out on a semi-final berth. The close finish is a tough break, but Healy's performance demonstrated her quality and it is one she can be proud of.
As the day shifts focus to this evening’s events, all eyes will be on Rhasidat Adeleke, who is set to compete in the 400m semi-final. After a dominant performance in the heats, Adeleke’s race is eagerly anticipated, with the nation hopeful for another strong showing.
Featured Image: by Perri Williams