Loughnane qualifies for Olympics

OLIVE LOUGHNANE has become the second Irish athlete to achieve the Olympic qualifying standard for Beijing after finishing second in the 20k race at Portugal’s race walking championships in Serriera do Aljento in 92min 25sec at the weekend.

There are a number of designated courses at which qualifying standards for the world championships and Olympic Games can be achieved and this course, situated half way between Lisbon and Faro, is one of them.

While there is ample time remaining for qualification she opted for the Portuguese championships and, while the conditions were unseasonably warm, she turned in a superb performance behind Susanna Feitor, bronze medallist the world championships in Helsinki two years ago.