Latest news with #EYOF
Irish Independent
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Ace AC runner Lorcan Forde Dunne boosts Euro qualification prospects
Competing against a high-quality field, Forde Dunne clocked a personal best time of 3:50.15. This performance marked his second qualification time for the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF), which will be held in North Macedonia this July. Not everyone that meets the qualification standards will automatically be selected, but Forde Dunne's recent times put him in a strong position, so his hopes and those of his club will be high. Meanwhile, closer to home in Carlow, Aoife O'Connor competed at the U16 Leinster Combined Events competition, which involved five events - the 80m hurdles, shot put, high jump, long jump and 800m. O'Connor finished fourth, just missing out on a medal, but her consistent performances throughout the day were a strong indication of her ability in multiple events. Ace AC training continues on Tuesdays at 6.30pm in St Oliver's CC, Thursdays at 6pm in Lourdes Stadium and Saturdays at 10am in Oldbridge and later on at noon in Lourdes Stadium for sprinters and younger athletes. New members are always welcome.
BBC News
04-02-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Youth Olympic Festival selection 'dream come true' for Sheffield teenager
The youngest member of Team GB at a major international winter sports competition has called her selection a "dream come true".Figure skater Leilah Patten, 14, is one of 20 young people who will compete at the Bakuriani 2025 Winter European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) from Sunday. Leilah, from Sheffield, South Yorkshire, started ice skating at the age of five, with the teenager hoping to pursue the sport as a her trip to Georgia for the event, she said: "I have to pinch myself every day." She decided to give the sport a go after her family moved to Dubai, with her trainer recognising her early talent on the ice. "I fell in love and haven't stopped," she recently took part in the International Skating Union Junior Grand Prix in the Czech Republic, and won gold at the British Figure Skating 1,600 athletes from 48 countries will be joining her at EYOF. "I don't really know what to expect, but I'm going to try and deliver what I'm doing in practice and what I've been working hard for," she said."There's some high moments, but also some lower moments when I realise what I need to work and improve on."EYOF will see participants aged between 14-18 take part in 10 events, including alpine skiing, curling, ice hockey and snowboarding. Speaking about her plans for the future, she said: "I've always dreamed of skating for my whole life, I just want to revolve around skating."Charlie Burn, Team GB chef de Mission, said: "It will be the first time many of our young athletes experience the Olympic movement and is an invaluable opportunity for them to develop in an international competition of this level."Team GB has a great history of youth athletes taking part in an EYOF and going on to become senior Olympians."Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.
