O’Dwyer hoping to jump for joy

ROBERT HEFFERNAN commences the Irish athletic campaign in Athens today in the men’s 20k walk - the first event at the Olympic Stadium this morning.

Despite the withdrawals of friends Gillian O’Sullivan and Jamie Costin, the 26-year-old Corkman remains focused on his bid to achieve a top 10 finish.

After a nightmare run of injuries, the Togher-born athlete impressed at the World Cup in Naumburg and was just fractionally outside his career best at the Grand Prix in La Coruna.