Olympic focus rules Ryan, O’Rourke out of Euros

Irish record holders Deirdre Ryan and Derval O’Rourke will not compete in the European Track and Field Championships in Helsinki at the end of the month.

High jumper Ryan and spring hurdles queen O’Rourke have both opted to maintain exclusive focus on the London Olympic Games.

Ireland will send a 26-person team to Helsinki, including last year’s European Cross Country champion, Fionnuala Britton (Kilcoole AC), where she will contest the 10,000m at a major championships for the first time. Previously she competed in the 3k steeplechase.