Rob Heffernan criticises body’s failure to back centre of excellence for race walking in Cork

Olympic hero Rob Heffernan has hit out at his sport’s governing body in Ireland for failing to support his dream of establishing a race walking academy in his native city.

Heffernan, from Togher in Cork, announced plans after he was crowned 2013 race walking world champion, to establish an academy and centre of excellence for race walking in Cork.

He launched the initiative in 2014 and invited athletes of all ages to take part in training sessions at UCC’s Mardyke Arena on Monday nights during March, April and May.