Special eight named world class by AAI

EIGHT sportspeople have been named in the Athletics Ireland’s World Class Panel, a key component of the Association’s new Performance Plan.

The goal of the plan, which will be supported, up to 85%, by the Irish Sports Council, is to develop a “comprehensive and fluid” programme to facilitate the development of world class performers.

World silver medallist Alistair Cragg and David Gillick, who won gold medals at this year’s European indoor championships, race walker Gillian O’Sullivan, a silver medallist at the last world championships, Sonia O’Sullivan, Marie Davenport, Olive Loughnane, Robert Heffernan and high jumper, Adrian O’Dwyer, are on the World Class Panel. There is also a senior panel that is comprised of 14 athletes and a relay, a development panel of 17 and a junior panel of 18.