For many months now, Irish athletes have been striking the same chord when talking about the IAAF World Championships, which get under way in London tomorrow evening.

Robert Heffernan finished a fighting fifth in the men’s 50km race walk in 3:44:17 in a brave bid to defend his world title at the IAAF World Championships in Beijing, while Ireland’s men’s 4x400m relay team set a national record.

There was no joy for the Irish women on the third day of the IAAF World Championships in Beijing with Tori Pena, Michelle Finn, Sara Treacy and Kerry O’Flaherty missing out on qualification in their respective events.