by Perri Williams
Efrem Gidey (Clonliffe), Darragh McElhinney (Bantry) and Laura Nicholson (Bandon) have all dipped inside the quota for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, in their respective events.
While the initial ranking was published last wednesday, athletes / federations had yet to make final declarations in the case of some of their athletes. Athletes were ranked in multiple events and with conflicting schedules or demands, they may opt for just one event. Or athletes could be ranked but may opt not to be selected due to injury. Whatever the reason, the drop out has favoured three Irish contenders.
In the case of Darragh McElhinney (Bantry), he was just one off the quota, thus his inclusion always looked positive (especially in the face of some athletes having multiple qualifications). McEhinney has bounced back this season to run a superb 5000m on Aug 9 in Belgium where he almost reached the A standard with his 13:02.06.
Efrem Gidey (Clonliffe) was just four eligible places off the quota in the 10,000m. Gidey ran 27:26.95 for 10,000m at the Ten in California in March, setting a new national record. A few weeks later he finished 4th in the half marathon at the European Road Running Championships. Then in May he won the European 10,000m cup in Pace, France.
Laura Nicolson (Bandon) her superb cross-country season for Toldeo University turned into an equally superb track season. Back in Europe she raced well on the circuit before winning her first national senior track and field title - over 1500m. She achieved a best of 4:07.17 at Winston Salem (North Carolina) this year.