Mark English and Paul Robinson start a new era for Irish middle-distance running this morning in the heats of the 800m on the opening day of the World Track and Field Championships in Moscow.

Race-walking legend Olive Loughnane believes Robert Heffernan can use his fourth place finish at the London Olympics as a springboard to success at the upcoming World Track and Field Championships in Moscow.

Kenenisa Bekele’s star quality was able to pierce through a blustery crosswind at the Spar Great Ireland Run 10km in the Phoenix Park yesterday.

Some of Ireland's top athletes will be in action at the World Track and Field Championships in Berlin today, with Paul Hession first out of the blocks in the heats of the 200m at 9:05am (Irish time).

Dubliner Michelle Carey finished fifth in her heat of the 400m hurdles today at the World Track and Field Championships in Berlin, missing out on a place in the semi-final.

Derval O'Rourke is hoping that her trip World Track and Field Championships which begin in Berlin this week will coincide with a peak in form.

David Gillick has received a huge boost ahead of the World Track and Field Championships as he was today named the Crowne Plaza Athlete of the Month for July.

Athletics Ireland has announced a 14-strong squad for the World Track and Field Championships in Berlin later this month.

Galway’s Paul Hession was named Athlete of the Year at tonight’s National Athletics Awards in Dublin.

ALISTAIR CRAGG has conquered Europe and is ready to take on the world. The new European indoor 3,000m champion plans that assault in two weeks time when he renews rivalry with the double champion, Kenenisa Bekele, at the World cross-country championships in Saint-Etienne/Saint-Galmier.

John Treacy, chief executive of the Sports Council, has said Richard Burrows’ challenge to Pat Hickey for the Olympic Council of Ireland presidency is healthy for Irish sport.