Each country defines its success uniquely on the international championship stage, and in the world of athletics, victory is often determined by the quantity or type of medals acquired. Despite setting a national record, securing two notable fifth-place ranks, and the controversial disqualification of Sharlene Mawdsley after she successfully entered the 400m final, it’s undeniable that Irish medal prospects didn’t quite materialise at the 19th World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow over the weekend.
So, what constitutes success? Given the small size of the Irish team – consisting of a single male and nine females competing in merely six events – the prospects were admittedly low from the get-go. This outcome extends the 18-year wait for triumph on this stage, tracing back to Derval O’Rourke’s gleaming achievement of a gold medal in the 60m hurdles at Moscow, 2006.
Among the eight Irish athletes already assured a spot for the upcoming Paris Olympics, only Sarah Healy and Sarah Lavin chose to attend the Glasgow event, while athletes like Rhasidat Adeleke, Ciara Mageean, Andrew Coscoran, and Brian Fay, opted out due to various personal reasons.
Although Adeleke’s non-participation was anticipated, it prompted speculation about potentially missed opportunities, particularly had she been part of the women’s 4x400m relay team that secured fifth in Sunday’s final after setting a national record.
Often likened to New Zealand in terms of country size, population, and sporting legacy, Ireland’s performance at these events is insightful. Interestingly, New Zealand shared similar team size, but their outcome was vastly different. They ranked third on the medal table bagging two golds and two silvers, outpacing the United States and Belgium. This included unexpected victories like Geordie Beamish’s surprising progression from fifth to first in the final 20m of the men’s 1,500m final, augmenting the prior high jump victory claimed by his fellow teammate, Hamish Kerr.
Silver medals were awarded to Tom Walsh and Eliza McCartney of New Zealand for their performances in the men’s shot put and the women’s pole vault respectively during the games. Two fourth places were secured by Madison-Lee Wesche in the women’s shot put and Zoe Hobbs in the 60m, while Jacko Gill brought home a fifth in the shot put.
Highlighting the commitment of New Zealand’s athletes to their sport, they contributed greatly to the games held in Glasgow. In stark contrast, Ireland’s lack of representation, particularly with Israel Olatunde being their sole male contestant, raised some eyebrows. This appeared alarming especially in light of the increasing depth and significant investment in the sporting arena.
During the games, 651 athletes made their mark, representing 133 different nations. Notably, 32 diverse countries were medal recipients, including the African countries of Benin and Burkina Faso. The Caribbean islands of Saint Lucia and Dominica also celebrated their first wins, the latter, despite its modest population of 73,000, savoured victory in the triple jump, thanks to Thea LaFond.
The medal tally from the 26 categories being contested witnessed a significant proportion, 10, claimed by European nations. Dutch superstar, Femke Bol, stood out with her double-gold wins in the individual 400m and the 4x400m relay, amassing a total of nine major world and European titles by the age of 23.
The Irish women’s relay group, along with Lavin, found solace in their participation in what was considered the most competitive events in Glasgow. Remarkably, Lavin’s 60m hurdles final was recognised as the fastest race in the history of women’s indoor sprint hurdles. The race was won by 28-year-old Devynne Charlton from the Bahamas, who achieved a world record breaking time of 7.65 seconds.
Despite only managing a fifth-place finish, Lavin displayed an inspiring attitude. The 29-year-old Limerick native has noticeably bettered her performance from two years prior, even breaking O’Rourke’s outdoor 100m hurdles record the previous summer. Thus, Lavin retains her faith that her time to grace the podium is near.
In the period from 2014 until 2021, Lavin has not participated in any major championships. He remarked that this seven-year duration has intensified his desire for success, but has also allowed his legs to rest in a way that may not be possible for other athletes of his age. There’s a significant fire inside him, propelling him further in his journey.
Lavin could glean some motivation from Noelie Yarigo’s narrative. Yarigo, who is currently aged 38, claimed her first ever medal for Benin in the 800m race, after 20 years in the field.
Similarly, Healy, who just celebrated her 23rd birthday, hasn’t let a challenging experience in the 1,500m final, where she stumbled just short of the finishing line, dent her ambitions. She has resolved to return stronger, acknowledging her sense of self. She’s now focusing on the upcoming summer games.
A point of note for Irish followers is their representation in this year’s European Athletics Championships in Rome’s Stadio Olimpico, scheduled for 7th-12th June. The event is expected to attract athletes such as Lavin and Healy, and likely Mageean as well.
The event, which has been condensed to six days, is being held in Rome 50 years after its previous hosting in 1974, and represents one of the last chances for athletes to qualify for the upcoming Paris Olympics.
Furthermore, between the 4th and 5th of May, the Bahamas will host the World Athletics Relays, where the women’s and the mixed 4x400m relay teams will compete for their ticket to Paris. Teams that finish in the top 14 will be invited directly to Paris.
Adeleke has confirmed her participation in the relay event, hopeful and eager for the upcoming Paris Olympics, with the thought that the events in Glasgow will recede into the past.
Here are some key dates for upcoming Athletics championships:
– 30th March: World Cross-Country Championships in Belgrade
– 4th-5th May: World Athletics Relays in the Bahamas
– 7th-12th June: European Championships in Rome
– 29th-30th June: National Athletics Championships in Santry
– 1st-11th August (26th July – 11th August for entire event): Paris Olympic Games.