HOPE turned to despair for Olive Loughnane in Barcelona yesterday when a stomach bug forced her to pull out of the women’s 20k walk after 5,000m and dashed her hopes of adding a European medal to the silver she won at the world championships in Berlin last year.

Olive Loughnane was in philosophical mood as she reflected on her disappointing exit from this morning's 20km walk at the European Athletics Championships in Barcelona.

OLIVE LOUGHNANE delivered on the promise shown at last year’s Olympic Games when she won the silver medal in the women’s 20k walk at the world championships in Berlin yesterday.

Olive Loughnane has provided Irish athletics with a massive shot in the arm by winning a silver medal in the 20 kilometre walk at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin.