Paris Olympics 2024: Athletics to boxing – Who are the NI and Irish athletes heading to the Games?

After being an outsider for so long, Ireland are suddenly a contender on the track heading to France.

Ciara Mageean is the headline name. After missing out on the top step for so long, she claimed a stunning gold at the European Championships in perfect preparation for the Olympics.

While Mageean is a well-established star of the sport, Rhasidat Adeleke is the breakout talent and will compete in the women’s 200m, 400m and relays.

Adeleke warmed up for Paris by winning the 400m at the Monaco Diamond League on Friday.

Sharlene Mawdsley is another star on the Irish relay team and will combine that with the women’s 400m, as will Sophie Becker.

Phil Healy, Kelly McGrory, Rachel McCann and Lauren Cadden have also been named for both relay teams, while Thomas Barr, Christopher O’Donnell and Jack Raftery have been selected for the mixed 4x400m.

Newry’s Kate O’Connor left it late but has qualified for the women’s heptathlon.

Mageean will be joined in the 1500m by Sophie O’Sullivan and Sarah Healy, while Sarah Lavin will go in the women’s 100m hurdles and Fionnuala McCormack has qualified for the 5,000m.

Mark English will compete in the men’s 800m, Andrew Coscoran, Luke McCann and Cathal Doyle in the 1500m, while Brian Fay (men’s) and Jodie McCann (women’s) go in the 5,000m.

Eric Favors will represent Ireland in the men’s shot put, while Nicola Tuthill will go in the women’s hammer.