Olympic qualifier Martin Fagan quits: ‘I woke up and didn’t want to run’

Martin Fagan, Ireland’s sole qualifier thus far for the 2016 men’s Olympic marathon in Brazil, has quit the sport.

The 31-year old Mullingar native, who returned from a two-year doping ban in April of 2014, has retired for the sake of his mental health.

“I woke up and didn’t want to run and I have been like that… for my own mental health I’m happy not running,” he told the Westmeath Independent.

“With work it just took away from the enjoyment. I ran a race in the Pat Finnerty Road League (in May) and I just didn’t enjoy it. It’s hard to explain, but I just lost the love for it.

“Working 50 hours a week, it just wasn’t happening. Obviously the support that should have been there, wasn’t and I understand why it wasn’t, as it just wouldn’t have been fair.”

Fagan tested positive for EPO at the end of 2011 and after serving his two-year ban, clocked 2.16.09 at the Zurich Marathon in April to qualify for next year’s Olympics in Rio.