Loughnane ready for campaign opener

THE OFF-SEASON has been tough for some of the world’s leading race walking women – many of whom are already eyeing the final event of the IAAF Race Walking Challenge in Beijing next September when a $30,000 cheque will await the winner.

Ireland’s world silver medallist Olive Loughnane, however, has not thought about returning to the course where she turned in an astonishing performance in the 2008 Olympic Games.

She has the European championships in Barcelona next summer as her primary target and they will be foremost on her mind on Saturday when she opens her 2010 campaign in Rio Maior, Portugal.