Ireland's Olive Loughnane has failed to complete the women’s 20km walk in Athens.

THE women’s 20k walk will surely prove to be one of the highlights of this world championships in Paris.

IF you travel regularly between Cork to Killarney you must surely have come across the red-head walking at a hectic pace either along the Carrigrohane Straight Road or around Glenflesk, but don’t be surprised if you recognise a new spring in her step next time you spot her.

MARK CARROLL, laid low with an injury sustained while training at altitude for the Boston Marathon, will miss this year’s track season — including the world championships in Paris — with a planned return to competitive athletics in another marathon a the end of the year.

Russia's Olimpiada Ivanova led from the start to win the 20km walk in a new championship record.