O’Rourke changes tack with major leap up to 200m

DERVAL O’ROURKE enters uncharted waters next month when she makes a dramatic move up to 200m to get her competitive season underway.

The former world indoor champion at 60m hurdles and European silver medallist at 100m hurdles, emerged from the doldrums last season to finish fourth – top European – in the 100m hurdles at the world championships in Berlin.

Since then her aim has been the European championships in Barcelona next July and she feels that a new focus will get her back in a competitive mood after the disappointment of missing this year’s world indoor championships through injury.