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Irish Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Kate O'Connor smashes Irish heptathlon record to strike gold at World University Games
Another groundbreaking display by Kate O'Connor has won her the heptathlon gold medal at the World University Games in the Rhine-Ruhr, Germany. The 24-year-old was in superb form in all seven events, smashing her own national record on her way to claiming a first multi-event medal for Ireland in the championships. Already 373 points clear going into the final event, O'Connor saved one of her best performances for last, finishing second in the 800m with a personal best of 2:10.46 to bring her points tally to 6487. That significantly improved on her previous record of 6297 set in 2021, this being her first heptathlon competition since twice breaking new ground in the indoor five-event pentathlon. Earlier this year O'Connor took bronze in the pentathlon at the European Indoor Championships in Apeldoorn and followed up with silver in the event at the World indoor stage in Nanjing, China. READ MORE Relishing the competition once again, the Dundalk woman set the pace on both days. Hungary's Szabina Szucs claimed the silver medal with 6081 points while Australia's Emilia Surch took bronze with 6068 points, both also personal bests among the 29 competitors. Ireland's Kate O'Connor during the javelin event in the heptathlon at the World University Games in Bochum, Germany. Photograph: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile While gold medals have previously been won by Ireland in swimming and golf, this was only the fifth athletics gold won by an Irish athlete since World University Games were officially inaugurated in 1959. Ronnie Delany won gold over 800m in 1961, Niall Bruton and Sonia O'Sullivan over 1500m in 1991, and Thomas Barr in the 400m hurdles in 2015. After setting a personal best of 24.33 seconds in the 200m on Wednesday, O'Connor threw 51.87m in round one of the javelin on Thursday and cleared 6.15m in round one of the long jump. Only a collapse in the 800m would have denied her gold, and instead she made absolutely sure of it, improving her previous best of 2:11.42. An MA student in Communications and PR at Ulster University, O'Connor's indoor medals were the first senior medals won by any Irish athlete in a multi-event. She had already made a breakthrough in the women's heptathlon in winning European Under-20 silver in 2019 before becoming Ireland's first representative in the heptathlon at last year's Paris Olympics. The switch from the pentathlon – five events indoors spread across one day – to the heptathlon – seven events outdoors spread across two days – involved the addition of the 200m and the javelin, the latter being O'Connor's favourite event. Her next heptathlon will be the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo in September.
BreakingNews.ie
6 days ago
- Sport
- BreakingNews.ie
Tributes paid to Ireland's first female track and field Olympian and 'trailblazer' in Irish sport
Tributes are being paid to Ireland's first female track and field Olympian, Maeve Kyle, who was 'a trailblazer' in Irish sport. Ms Kyle, who died at the age of 96, was born in Kilkenny in 1928. She made history at the 1956 Melbourne Games, competing in the 100m and 200m. Advertisement A former Kilkenny College student, she went on to represent Ireland at three Olympic Games, becoming the nation's first triple Olympian. Also a star in Irish hockey, she earned 58 caps and was twice named to the World All Star team. Athletics Ireland in a statement said it is "deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our esteemed Life Vice President Maeve Kyle.' They said that Ms Kyle was a 'true pioneer of Irish sport and one of our most iconic and inspirational athletes and she broke new ground for women in Irish athletics.' Advertisement She represented the country with distinction at the Melbourne 1956, Rome 1960, and Tokyo 1964 Olympic Games. At the Tokyo Games, she reached the semifinals in both the 400m and 800m. Maeve went on to win a bronze medal in the 400m at the 1966 European Indoor Championships in Dortmund and continued to compete with distinction in the Masters category, winning world titles and setting world records. 'Her presence on the international stage opened doors for countless others, and it was her courage, determination, and dignity on and off the track that truly set her apart,' continued Athletics Ireland. A gifted multi-sport athlete, Ms Kyle also became a renowned coach, working alongside her beloved late husband, Sean, to help shape generations of Irish athletes including their daughter Shauna. Advertisement She completed her involvement in a fourth Olympic Games by serving as coach to the Irish track and field team at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. 'Her contribution to athletics spanned decades, from her ground-breaking career as a competitor to her roles as a coach, mentor, administrator, official, and advocate for women in sport and coaching structures,' the statement added. 'Maeve Kyle was more than a legend; she was a torchbearer who lit the path for those who followed. Her legacy lives on in the athletes she inspired and the standards she set. 'On behalf of the athletics community across Ireland, Athletics Ireland extend our heartfelt condolences to her daughter Shauna, her granddaughter Indy, to the extended Kyle and Shankey families, her many friends, and all those whose lives she touched through her extraordinary career and enduring legacy. She was also appointed an OBE for her services to sport. A spokesperson for the Kilkenny College said: 'Maeve Kyle's legacy as a trailblazer in Irish sport will never be forgotten."
Irish Examiner
6 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Irish sport mourns legendary athletics and hockey trailblazer Maeve Kyle
Today Irish sport mourns a legendary trailblazer - Maeve Kyle has died at the age of 96. Kyle was Ireland's first female track and field Olympian, representing Ireland in the 100m and 200m sprints in 1956 and 1960. She then went on to reach the semi-finals of the 400m and the 800m at the age of 36 in Tokyo 1964. She went on to win a bronze medal in the 400m at the 1966 European Indoor Championships in Dortmund, before setting many records in Masters athletics. Kyle was also a highly accomplished hockey player, winning over 50 caps for Ireland. She also competed in swimming, tennis and golf. Born in Kilkenny in 1928, Kyle was sent to Dublin's Alexandra College and went to live with her grandparents. In an interview for the Irish Examiner in 2016, she said: 'I wanted to become a doctor and went to Trinity. During the first year, I decided I didn't want to become a doctor anymore and changed to Natural Sciences – partly because I fancied a fellow in the class.' Irish Olympic athletics coach Maeve Kyle, who competed in the 1956, 1960 and 1964 Games with the youngest present competitor, 19 year-old Gordon Kennedy, from Tullamore, pictured at Dublin Airport prior to the Irish Olympic team's early morning departure to Sydney for the Olympic Games. Sydney Olympics 2000. Athletics. Picture credit; Brendan Moran/SPORTSFILE After Trinity, Maeve returned to Alexandra and began teaching, also becoming an international hockey player. 'Sport was something I did in my spare time," she told Eoin O'Callaghan in that interview, "and I never got away from that. "I liked to win – make no mistake. People will tell you I had the real driving force but I don't think I did. I don't think I was driven enough to win at all costs. Now, people want to win at any cost. It becomes their life and I couldn't have that.' It was her late husband Seán, who she married in 1954, who persuaded her to take up sprinting and he acted as her coach for many years. She said: 'He loved the technical aspects of all sports – athletics, particularly – and had a brilliant mind. You couldn't build the house if you didn't have the bricks – it was as simple as that with him. You always had a strong base. 'Because of the hockey, I was introduced to international sport quite early. Then, of course, you get a taste for that level. I was fast enough, fit enough. I had a good enough eye and I had the hunger. And I liked learning. Especially from people more experienced than me.' Of the attitude to women in sport she remarked: 'Women's place was secondary in everything. It sounds horrible to say but we were second-class citizens. It's only the last 30 years that women have been kind-of accepted to do a lot of things – but still not everything.' Athletics Ireland said: "Her presence on the international stage opened doors for countless others, and it was her courage, determination, and dignity on and off the track that truly set her apart." After she retired from competing, Kyle became a dedicated coach and mentor. She was a founding figure in the Ballymena & Antrim Athletics Club. and she served as coach to the Irish track and field team at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. In 2006 she was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Irish Sports Council for her outstanding contribution to Irish sport. In 2007, Athletics Ireland recognised Maeve and Sean with the Lifetime Achievement Award. An Athletics Ireland statement read: "Maeve Kyle was more than a legend; she was a torchbearer who lit the path for those who followed. Her legacy lives on in the athletes she inspired and the standards she set." Lochlann Walsh, President of the Olympic Federation of Ireland said, 'We have lost a legend of Irish Olympic Sport who rose to the top despite huge challenges in 1950s Ireland. She was an inspiration to us all. May she rest in peace.' CEO of the Olympic Federation of Ireland, Peter Sherrard, added, 'Our thoughts today are with Maeve's extended family, friends. Her achievements in life gave inspiration to so many Irish women who followed in her footsteps as Olympians.
The 42
16-07-2025
- Sport
- The 42
'You have to level up' - the curse and blessing of running in a golden era for women's hurdles
SARAH LAVIN SOMETIMES tells her parents that she wishes she was born a few years earlier. It's all in jest, of course, but there's a veneer of truth behind the joke. Lavin is the queen of women's hurdles in Ireland. She took the crown from Derval O'Rourke at the 2023 World Championships when she blasted through the 100m hurdles semi-final in a time of 12.62. It was a milestone moment for her. A long-term target. But her literal best performance was not enough to see her through to the final on that occasion. The upside for Lavin is that her career coincides with a golden period for women's hurdles. The downside for Lavin is that her career coincides with a golden period for women's hurdles. 'The greatest who have ever done women's sprint hurdles are all around in this era now,' Lavin says, summing up the challenge she faces every time she steps on the track. 'The records that were there in the 80s are gone. So many of us are national record holders and the best who have ever done it from our country. The world record holder, the European record holder, the Olympic record holder and the world indoor record holder . . . everyone is in this cohort. 'And when you bring them all together, it means mad stuff is happening timewise. You have to level up.' Advertisement It was a similar scenario for Lavin at the European Indoor Championships in March. She clocked a season's best of 7.92 in the final of the 60m hurdles, which was good enough for fourth. Switzerland's Mujinga Kambundji set a European record of 7.67 to take gold, while Nadine Visser broke the Dutch national record to win the silver medal in 7.72. Pia Skrzyszowska of Poland clinched third in 7.83. 'Who's happy with fourth?' Lavin told RTÉ's David Gillick after the race. 'It's not the end of the world in the fastest European race ever. Last year I was in the fastest world final ever.' The World Championships in Tokyo are the main goal for Lavin in 2025, and the good news is that qualification is already assured for the Limerick athlete. The bad news is that the bar remains nauseatingly high. She ran a season's best of 12.76 in the 100m hurdles at the Golden Spike meeting in Ostrava last month. She also won the 100m hurdles at the European Team Championships in Slovenia in a time of 12.82. But she knows that 12.5 is the aim if she wants to make the final in Japan. 'It's not beyond my realm of possibility, but again, you could also run 12.5 and not make it,' she adds. Along with chasing the clock, Lavin has been working on some technical aspects that have been affecting her performance. The first hurdle has been particularly problematic for her. At the World Indoor Championships in China, she failed to reach the final after clipping the first barrier. 'It's clear as day to anyone sitting on the couch, whether you know anything about it or not, that that's an area I could definitely improve on. 'We really tried to zone in on that. The biggest thing I'm trying [to do is] get up to speed sooner in my race between hurdle one and two, to increase my flight times to get under the 0.33 of a second that you're in the air.' Lavin has also been sampling relay running to help with preparation for Tokyo. Along with Sarah Leahy, Ciara Neville and Lauren Roy, she ran the fourth leg of the 4x100m at the European Athletics Team Championships in Slovenia. Together, they clocked 43.97 to come third. 'Relay running is really good to work on your flat speed which is obviously really crucial and probably my my biggest strength when it comes to the hurdles,' she continues. 'We're trying to hold on to those strengths and then tidy up a few of the technical things like the the hurdle crossovers.' Lavin will compete in the relay again at the London Diamond League this weekend. The National Championships will then come into view on the August Bank Holiday weekend where she is contemplating the 200m or 100m along with the hurdles to get into Tokyo mode where she will be racing on back-to-back days. Everything is geared towards 14 and 15 September. 'Record,' she responds when asked what would be a good World Championships in her book. 'I can't control what anyone else is going to do but if I run quicker than I've done before, that's something that I can't but be proud of.' Sarah Lavin was speaking at an event to announce Spar and Eurospar as official retail partners to the Olympic Federation of Ireland and Paralympics Ireland
USA Today
27-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
The best of Olympic track and field gold medalist Lieke Klaver in images
The best of Olympic track and field gold medalist Lieke Klaver in images Klaver hasn't skipped a beat since her impressive run during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, where the talented sprinter helped Team Netherlands take home a gold medal in the mixed 4×400m relay and a silver medal in the women's 4×400m relay. Now gearing up for the summer 2025 season, Klaver is back on the track and turning heads, having already won a gold medal at the European Indoor Championships. Dutch track and field star Lieke Klaver Dutch track and field star Lieke Klaver Dutch track and field star Lieke Klaver Dutch track and field star Lieke Klaver Dutch track and field star Lieke Klaver Dutch track and field star Lieke Klaver Dutch track and field star Lieke Klaver Dutch track and field star Lieke Klaver Dutch track and field star Lieke Klaver Dutch track and field star Lieke Klaver Dutch track and field star Lieke Klaver Dutch track and field star Lieke Klaver Dutch track and field star Lieke Klaver Dutch track and field star Lieke Klaver Dutch track and field star Lieke Klaver Dutch track and field star Lieke Klaver Dutch track and field star Lieke Klaver Dutch track and field star Lieke Klaver Dutch track and field star Lieke Klaver Dutch track and field star Lieke Klaver Dutch track and field star Lieke Klaver Dutch track and field star Lieke Klaver Dutch track and field star Lieke Klaver Dutch track and field star Lieke Klaver Dutch track and field star Lieke Klaver Dutch track and field star Lieke Klaver Dutch track and field star Lieke Klaver Dutch track and field star Lieke Klaver Dutch track and field star Lieke Klaver Dutch track and field star Lieke Klaver Dutch track and field star Lieke Klaver Dutch track and field star Lieke Klaver Dutch track and field star Lieke Klaver Dutch track and field star Lieke Klaver Dutch track and field star Lieke Klaver Dutch track and field star Lieke Klaver Dutch track and field star Lieke Klaver Dutch track and field star Lieke Klaver Dutch track and field star Lieke Klaver
