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BBC News
5 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Fitzgerald aims for Tokyo after breaking Budd's record
Innes Fitzgerald says she is aiming to make the Great Britain team for the World Athletics Championships after breaking the European Under-20 5,000m 19-year-old from Exeter posted a time of 14:39.56 at the London Diamond League meeting on Saturday, breaking Zola Budd's mark by more than eight-and-a-half seconds that had stood for 40 years. The run put her fifth on the UK all-time list and is good enough to qualify for the World Championships in Tokyo next month. The two-time European Under-20 cross country champion will be selected if she finishes in the top two at the upcoming British Championships and could still get a discretionary selection if she were not to make the top two. "I'm going to go out there and just run to get in those top two spots," Fitzgerald told BBC Spotlight. "I don't want to push it too early and then find that I lose out because I've pushed it too early or blown up a bit."Just trying to get in those top two spots I think that's the main thing, second wouldn't be a bad run, but obviously I'd love to win and having a British title to my name would be amazing." With the Olympic Games in Los Angeles still three years away there is still plenty of time for Fitzgerald to the guidance of former Great Britain runner Jo Pavey and her husband Gavin, Fitzgerald has gradually moved up the ranks over the past few is currently the second-fastest British woman over 5,000m this year behind reigning UK champion Hannah Nuttall and her latest personal best has pushed her to 33rd in the world. "I think the sky's the limit in terms of what we're doing," the sports science student at Exeter University says."It's nice to see the improvements - on Saturday at the Diamond League it was great to get the time."We kind of went into the season with not too much expectation. We knew I could run well and getting that world qualifying time was the main aim."If I came away from the race having put everything in and still not coming out with the time, that wasn't necessarily a bad run, it would have still probably been a PB."It's a privilege to be put up there with some of those best in the world, and especially Zola Budd who ran extremely well 40 years ago, it just shows how things take time to move on and it's nice to kind of put my name against hers." 'I wish it wasn't in Japan' But should Fitzgerald be selected for Tokyo later this summer it will come with mixed feelings. An ardent climate change campaigner she was named Young Athlete of the Year in the 2023 BBC Green Sports Awards after she declined the chance to compete in that year's World Cross County Championships in Australia due to the environmental impact her flight around the world would have. But she says he has reconciled the need for her to compete on a global stage with the opportunity to raise environmental concerns."I hate flying and that's kind of the end of it, but sometimes there are decisions you've got to make and competitions you've got to go to," she said."Ultimately if I go and do well it will help to raise my platform anyway and I can then speak to a broader audience about the things I care about and the issues about the climate."I wish it wasn't in Japan, as much as it's amazing to go to a World Championships, you've always got to have that in the back of your mind and as long as you're conscious and still talking about things I think it's okay."No one can ever be perfect and I think when I didn't fly to Australia it was a big move and actually the media that came off the back of that helped to amplify the story."Whereas I think now I've got a bit of a platform just talking about it when I do go and saying 'look we don't want to be doing this but we have to' I think it's important."
The Hindu
22-07-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Kenya athletics trials under shadow of Chepngetich doping suspension
Kenya held trials for the World Athletics Championships on Tuesday under the cloud of renewed doping concerns after women's marathon world record holder Ruth Chepngetich was provisionally suspended last week. Chepngetich, 30, tested positive for the banned diuretic hydrochlorothiazide on March 14, according to the Athletics Integrity Unit. It threatens to destroy a career that has seen her win the 2019 world marathon title in Doha and set the marathon world record in Chicago last October at 2:09.56, making her the first woman to run the distance under 2hr 10min. Her case has also cast a shadow over Kenya's preparation for the World Championships in Tokyo from September 13 to 25. Few in the Kenyan sports community have been willing to talk about the case. READ MORE | Ruth Chepngetich, women's marathon world record-holder, provisionally suspended for doping 'It has increased suspicions that it is still a big issue. The authorities still have a lot more to do in the fight against doping,' a former Kenyan world champion, who requested anonymity, told AFP. Kenya has invested massively to clean up its image after a string of doping scandals around the 2016 Rio Olympics led to it being declared non-compliant by the World Anti-Doping Agency. Nearly 130 Kenyan athletes, mainly long-distance runners, have been sanctioned for drugs offences since 2017, and Kenya has put in place a $25 million, five-year programme to attempt to combat the problem. In June 2024, Kenya handed out its first lifetime ban to marathon runner Beatrice Toroitich and a six-year ban to 10km record-holder Rhonex Kipruto. Kenyan sports lawyer Sarah Ochwada said Kenya has made significant strides. 'Anti-doping is a complex system. It is a mix of bio-chemistry and medico-legal regulations,' said Ochwada, who has represented several athletes suspended for doping including Rita Jeptoo, Ferdinand Omanyala, and Mark Otieno. 'With more testing, the system is likely to catch both inadvertent and intentional anti-doping rule violators,' she said, adding that it was up to Kenyan athletes to take 'destiny into their own hands' and make sure they don't accidentally break the rules. Diuretics are banned because they can be used to rapidly lose weight or to flush out signs of performance-enhancing drugs. Athletics Kenya still has high hopes of success at the World Championships 10 years after it stunned the world by claiming the overall title for the first time in Beijing with seven golds, six silvers and three bronzes. Among the athletes expected to shine on Tuesday include rising 1500m star Phanuel Kipkosgei Koech, the 18-year-old who upset Britain's reigning world champion Josh Kerr at the London Diamond League on Saturday. Related Topics Ruth Chepngetich / Kenya
eNCA
22-07-2025
- Sport
- eNCA
Kenya athletics trials under shadow of Chepngetich suspension
Kenya held trials for the World Athletics Championships on Tuesday under the cloud of renewed doping concerns after women's marathon world record holder Ruth Chepngetich was provisionally suspended last week. Chepngetich, 30, tested positive for the banned diuretic hydrochlorothiazide on March 14, according to the Athletics Integrity Unit. It threatens to destroy a career that has seen her win the 2019 world marathon title in Doha and set the marathon world record in Chicago last October at 2hr 09min 56sec, making her the first woman to run the distance under 2hr 10min. Her case has also cast a shadow over Kenya's preparation for the World Championships in Tokyo from September 13 to 25. Few in the Kenyan sports community have been willing to talk about the case. "It has increased suspicions that it is still a big issue. The authorities still have a lot more to do in the fight against doping," a former Kenyan world champion, who requested anonymity, told AFP. Kenya has invested massively to clean up its image after a string of doping scandals around the 2016 Rio Olympics led to it being declared non-compliant by the World Anti-Doping Agency. Nearly 130 Kenyan athletes, mainly long-distance runners, have been sanctioned for drugs offences since 2017, and Kenya has put in place a $25 million, five-year programme to attempt to combat the problem. In June 2024, Kenya handed out its first lifetime ban to marathon runner Beatrice Toroitich and a six-year ban to 10km record-holder Rhonex Kipruto. Kenyan sports lawyer Sarah Ochwada said Kenya has made significant strides. "Anti-doping is a complex system. It is a mix of bio-chemistry and medico-legal regulations," said Ochwada, who has represented several athletes suspended for doping including Rita Jeptoo, Ferdinand Omanyala, and Mark Otieno. "With more testing, the system is likely to catch both inadvertent and intentional anti-doping rule violators," she said, adding that it was up to Kenyan athletes to take "destiny into their own hands" and make sure they don't accidentally break the rules. Diuretics are banned because they can be used to rapidly lose weight or to flush out signs of performance-enhancing drugs. Athletics Kenya still has high hopes of success at the World Championships 10 years after it stunned the world by claiming the overall title for the first time in Beijing with seven golds, six silvers and three bronzes. Among the athletes expected to shine on Tuesday include rising 1,500m star Phanuel Kipkosgei Koech, the 18-year-old who upset Britain's reigning world champion Josh Kerr at the London Diamond League on Saturday.
Irish Independent
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Anika Thompson and Eimear Maher in the medals for Ireland at Euro U-23 Athletics Championships
It means Ireland secured five medals in total at the championships, having won a total of 10 medals across its 14 previous editions. Spain's Maria Forero took 5,000m gold in convincing fashion in 15:43.44, with Germany's Vanessa Mikitenko next in 15:51.97, Thompson holding on gamely to win the battle for bronze, well clear of France's Julia David-Smith (16:00.62). 'I'm really happy,' said Thompson, who had won 10,000m gold on Friday. 'I love having a race where I give it my all and to be honest, that was one of the hardest I've run. Something that hurt me [after the 10K] was my lack of sleep, that's been really messed up, but I tried to control the things I could. 'Whether I win or lose, the greatest thing is that I'm healthy and anytime I get to hit the track healthy, I have a big smile on my face. I just have such pure joy for the sport. I love it. My goal today was to get double gold but I ended up with the bronze, and I'm pleased.' On Friday, the University of Oregon student had turned in a superb performance to win the 10,000m, breaking her own Irish U-23 record to clock 32:31.47. Thompson was raised in Oregon but qualifies to represent Ireland through her Cork grandparents, competing for Leevale AC in national events. Maher produced the run of her life to edge bronze in the women's 1500m, with gold going to Turkey's Dilek Kocak in 4:08.79 and silver to France's Adele Gay in 4:08.89, with Maher battling hard to hit the line in 4:09.54, three tenths of a second ahead of Britain's Mena Scatchard. 'I'm lost for words,' said the 21-year-old, who runs for Dundrum South Dublin. 'This was a big one. I'm absolutely delighted. I knew I was in the best shape of my life and I had to keep the cool and do what I did. I was vomiting before the heats, I was so nervous, but when the heats happened I was like, 'This isn't that big a deal. I worked for this, I want this.'' On Friday, Nicola Tuthill claimed silver in the hammer – the first ever medal for Ireland at this grade in a field event. The 21-year-old Cork athlete launched her leading throw of 70.90m in the fourth round, but had to settle for second behind Germany's Aileen Kuhn, who threw a PB of 72.53m. Nick Griggs won silver in the men's 5,000m final on Saturday, the 20-year-old Tyrone athlete clocking 13:45.80 behind Dutch star Niels Laros. Elsewhere, Rhasidat Adeleke clocked a season's best of 22.52 (-0.6m/s) to finish fourth over 200m at the London Diamond League, while Sarah Healy continued her fine form with a third-place finish in the mile in 4:16.25 and the Irish women's 4x100m quartet of Sarah Leahy, Lauren Roy, Ciara Neville and Sarah Lavin broke the national record with 43.73. Learn more 'I was just trying to stay in contention the whole time, trying to focus on getting out and not get left behind in the blocks, which I kind of did,' said Adeleke. 'I was working my way back, but I'll take it.' It was a step forward in what has been, for Adeleke, a mediocre season to date, the best of her three outings over 400m last month being the 50.42 she ran in Oslo, well down on her national record of 49.07. But her eyes remain fixed on the World Championships in September. 'Just making sure I can stay healthy and stay motivated and disciplined and just continue on the road to Tokyo,' she said of her goal for the coming weeks. 'It is about a month and a half away so just trying to make sure our eyes are focused on that, even though there's so many other things going on.' Mark English consolidated his recent good form with another fast clocking over 800m, the Donegal athlete finishing seventh in 1:44.07, a race won by Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi in 1:42.00. Elsewhere, Ryan Creech (Leevale AC) and Megan Ryan (Dundrum South Dublin) claimed the senior titles at the national 10-mile championships in the Phoenix Park, with Creech clocking 49:54 and Ryan 57:57.
Irish Examiner
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Thompson and Maher win bronze at European U-23s
Anika Thompson and Eimear Maher capped a superb edition of the European U23 Championships for Ireland by winning bronze medals on the final day of action in Bergen, Norway on Sunday, with Thompson third in the women's 5,000m in 15:56.80 and Maher third over 1500m in 4:09.54. It means Ireland secured five medals in total at the championships, having won a total of 10 medals across its 14 previous editions. Spain's Maria Forero took 5000m gold in convincing fashion in 15:43.44, with Germany's Vanessa Mikitenko next in 15:51.97, Thompson holding on gamely to win the battle for bronze, well clear of France's Julia David-Smith (16:00.62). 'I'm really happy,' said Thompson, who had won 10,000m gold on Friday. 'I love having a race where I give it my all and to be honest, that was one of the hardest I've run. Something that hurt me (after the 10K) was my lack of sleep, that's been really messed up, but I tried to control the things I could. 'Whether I win or lose, the greatest thing is that I'm healthy and anytime I get to hit the track healthy, I have a big smile on my face. I just have such pure joy for the sport. I love it. My goal today was to get double gold but I ended up with the bronze, and I'm pleased.' On Friday, the University of Oregon student had turned in a superb performance to win the 10,000m, breaking her own Irish U23 record to clock 32:31.47. Thompson was raised in Oregon but qualifies to represent Ireland through her Cork grandparents, competing for Leevale AC in national events. Maher produced the run of her life to edge bronze in the women's 1500m, with gold going to Turkey's Dilek Kocak in 4:08.79 and silver to France's Adele Gay in 4:08.89, with Maher battling hard to hit the line in 4:09.54, three tenths of a second ahead of Britain's Mena Scatchard. 'I'm lost for words,' said the 21-year-old, who runs for Dundrum South Dublin. 'This was a big one. I'm absolutely delighted. I knew I was in the best shape of my life and I had to keep the cool and do what I did. I was vomiting before the heats, I was so nervous, but when the heats happened I was like, 'This isn't that big a deal. I worked for this, I want this." On Friday, Nicola Tuthill claimed silver in the hammer – the first ever medal for Ireland at this grade in a field event. The 21-year-old Cork athlete launched her leading throw of 70.90m in the fourth round, but had to settle for second behind Germany's Aileen Kuhn, who threw a PB of 72.53m. Nick Griggs won silver in the men's 5000m final on Saturday, the 20-year-old Tyrone athlete clocking 13:45.80 behind Dutch star Niels Laros. Elsewhere, Rhasidat Adeleke clocked a season's best of 22.52 (-0.6m/s) to finish fourth over 200m at the London Diamond League, while Sarah Healy continued her fine form with a third-place finish in the mile in 4:16.25 and the Irish women's 4x100m quartet of Sarah Leahy, Lauren Roy, Ciara Neville and Sarah Lavin broke the national record with 43.73. 'I was just trying to stay in contention the whole time, trying to focus on getting out and not get left behind in the blocks, which I kind of did,' said Adeleke. 'I was working my way back, but I'll take it.' It was a step forward in what has been, for Adeleke, a mediocre season to date, the best of her three outings over 400m last month being the 50.42 she ran in Oslo, well down on her national record of 49.07. But her eyes remain fixed on the World Championships in September. 'Just making sure I can stay healthy and stay motivated and disciplined and just continue on the road to Tokyo,' she said of her goal for the coming weeks. 'It is about a month and a half away so just trying to make sure our eyes are focused on that, even though there's so many other things going on.' Mark English consolidated his recent good form with another fast clocking over 800m, the Donegal athlete finishing seventh in 1:44.07, a race won by Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi in 1:42.00. Elsewhere, Ryan Creech (Leevale AC) and Megan Ryan (Dundrum South Dublin) claimed the senior titles at the national 10-mile championships in the Phoenix Park, with Creech clocking 49:54 and Ryan 57:57.
