PRESS RELEASE Conditions were less than ideal on day one of the European Youth Olympics Festival in Tampere, Finland with torrential down pours. This did not dampen Irish spirits, with the young athletes having an exceptionally successful day with four of the five competing, qualifying to the next round. Bandon’s Joan Healy qualified for the 100m final running 11.95m. Healy will go in tomorrow’s final at 16.20 (Irish Time) as the fifth fastest athlete. Paul Scanlan will also go into the final of the 400m ranked fifth. Scanlon ran 49.61 in Heat 1 to finish third and he compete in the Final on Wednesday at 16.10 (Irish Time).
Cathriona Farrell of Craughwell AC qualified for the High Jump final clearing 1.70m. The start of the qualification rounds was delayed for over one hour due to the down-pours and Farrell did extremely well to jump close to her personal best under those conditions.
Adam Ingram of Lagan Valley AC has easily qualified to Wednesday’s semi-final, finishing second in the 800m heat in 1.57.40.
Coamhie King of Westport AC was extremely unlucky not to make the Triple Jump final. King’s jump of 12.15m was just 3 centimetres off qualifyication. The experience of competing at major championships will no doubt stand to this talented athlete.
The expected heats of the girls 1500m were cancelled. World Youth Championships Silver medallist Ciara Mageean will now compete in the final on Wednesday.