World silver medallist to compete at Odyssey

Olive Loughnane who is a World silver medallist, will compete in the 3km walk at the Belfast City Council-backed Woodie`s DIY Irish Indoor Championships at the Odyssey Arena on Saturday 6 February

The event `Athlete of the Year` produced a terrific performance in the 20km Walk at the World Track and Field Championships in Berlin last August, finishing in a time of 1:28.58 behind the winner, Russia`s Olga Kaniskina, and battling through 26 degree heat to join an elite group of Irish athletes who have won medals at the World Championships, including fellow race walker Gillian O`Sullivan, Eamonn Coghlan and Sonia O`Sullivan.

The silver medallist will be joined by Kate Veale, one of Ireland`s most talented up and coming race walkers. The Waterford AC athlete, who is mentored by Jamie Costin, set a new Irish record of 13:18.20 minutes at the AAI Games on 17 January. Reigning champion, Laura Reynolds of Mohill AC, will also be looking to produce a good performance.

Elite walkers, Robert Heffernan, Colin Griffin and Jamie Costin will line up in the Men`s 5 km Walk. Heffernan`s Irish Indoor record of 18:51:46, set in 2008 will be under threat as this will be the first time that all three of Ireland`s top male walkers will line-up in the Indoor Championships.

The indoors meeting is one of the seventh which will be held in Belfast, with more than 1,000 athletes participating.

Sourced: Belfast City Council