and Olympic Stats…. (RTE and AAI website) Ireland athlete Thomas Chamney has finished fifth in his 800m heat in a time of 1.47.66.
The Irish athlete has failed to progress as only the top two automatically qualify.
Chamney’s time was not fast enough to gain a wildcard into the next round. Olympic Stats
Loughnane joins elite group of Irish athletes – Road Race Fixtures
Olive Loughnane has today joined an elite group of Irish athletes following her 7th place finish in the 20K walk at the Olympics in Beijing. Loughnane joins Robbie Heffernan as part of a group of only 13 Irish track and field athletes who have achieved top eight finishes at the Olympics since 1928.
Heffernan and Loughnane excelled in their events, showing the strength of the Irish racewalking team at this year’s Olympics. Heffernan came 8th in the 20k walk earlier in the week, while Loughnane had an impressive 7th place finish today, ahead of 2004 Olympic champion Athanasia Tsoumeleka of Greece who finished 9th.
Mary Coghlan, CEO of Athletics Ireland, is delighted with the performance of both athletes. “This was a fantastic performance by both Olive and Robbie and the scale of what they have achieved shouldn’t be underestimated. They are now in the same company as the likes of John Treacy, Eamonn Coghlan and Sonia O’Sullivan.”
“Irish race walking has benefitted in recent years from the professional approach within its own ranks and exemplifies what can be achieved with a high level results oriented attitude,” Coghlan added.
There has been 18 top eight finishes by Irish athletes in track and field since 1928. The last Irish track and field athlete to secure a top eight finish was Sonia O’Sullivan in Sydney in 2000. O’Sullivan finished 2nd in the 5000m and 6th in the 10,000.
Top 8 finishes by Irish Track and Field Athletes since 1928
1928 – Pat O’Callaghan – Hammer – 1st
1932 – Pat O’Callaghan – Hammer – 1st
1932 – Bob Tisdall – 400m Hurdles – 1st
1932 – Eamon Fitzgerald – Triple Jump – 4th
1956 – Ronnie Delany – 1500m – 1st
1960 – John Lawlor – Hammer – 4th
1976 – Eamonn Coghlan – 1500m – 4th
1980 – Eamonn Coghlan – 5000m – 4th
1980 – John Treacy – 5000m – 7th
1984 – John Treacy – Marathon – 2nd
1984 – Caroline O’Shea – 800m – 8th
1988 – Marcus O’Sullivan – 1500m – 8th
1992 – Sonia O’Sullivan – 3000m – 4th
1992 – Jimmy McDonald – 20k Walk – 6th
2000 – Sonia O’Sullivan – 5000m – 2nd
2000 – Sonia O’Sullivan – 10,000m – 6th
2008 – Robbie Heffernan – 20k Walk – 8th
2008 – Olive Loughnane – 20k Walk – 7th
