Ethiopian takes O'Sullivan's place

Ethiopia’s Meselech Melkamu will replace Sonia O’Sullivan in Sunday’s Great BUPA Ireland Run.

Cobh woman O’Sullivan, winner of the inaugural 10km race, is unable to run due to the hamstring injury which prevented her using her dual nationality to compete in the Commonwealth Games 5,000 metres for Australia.

Melkamu – winner of the the long and short course bronze medals at last weekend’s IAAF World Cross Country Championships – will run in her place, the 20-year-old having accepted an invitation at short notice.

“Melkamu jumped at the opportunity to come and compete in Dublin and clearly is in great shape,” said Matthew Turnbull, the race’s elite athletes director.

“On paper given her current form she must start as favourite, but let’s remember after her exertions in Fukuoka, she might be a little on the tired side after her efforts.”

Melkamu finished fourth in last summer’s World Championships 5,000m final just 12 months after winning the world junior gold medal over the distance in Grossetto.

Turnbull added: “It’s great to have her step into O’Sullivan’s shoes but Sonia, although not running, is coming along to start the junior event at the meeting.”

Despite Melkamu’s outstanding talent, she will have to be wary of defending champion Amy Rudolph of the United States, who outsprinted O’Sullivan in a brilliant finish in last year’s race.

Fernanda Ribeiro and Sally Barsosio, the former Olympic and World 10,000m champions from Portugal and Kenya are also in the field, while Jolene Byrne - third last year – will carry Irish hopes.