O’Sullivan going for gold in championship warm-up

IRELAND’S double world record holder Gillian O’Sullivan competes in her final 20km race before the world championships on Saturday when she goes for gold in the 13th Waterford Crystal Dublin Grand Prix of Race Walking.

The event also incorporates the national 20km championships in the Phoenix Park (12 noon).

O’Sullivan, who is currently in line for the $25,000 first prize in the IAAF Grand Prix series following wins in Mexico and Milan earlier this year, will also start as one of the favourites for a medal at the World Championships in Paris in August.

Shed will use Saturday’s race as her final test before going to the Font Romeau the following day for three weeks training at altitude in preparation for the World Championships.

O’Sullivan will have to be on her best form to take the title as Galway’s Olive Loughnane is also in world class form.

She was a top eight finisher in the European Cup in Russia in April.

In the men’s 20km, the unfortunate withdrawal due to injury of defending champion Robert Heffernan has left the door open for Olympic 50km walker Jamie Costin to win his first national 20km title after winning silver five times.