Irish Olympians pay the price as stand-off continues over Belfast event

For Olympian Michelle Finn, who is due to compete in Belfast, the subsequent devaluing of her overall performance score will equate to 9-10 seconds difference in the 3000m steeplechase

Athletics Ireland CEO Hamish Adams said he has “nothing more to add” to the statement released by the sport’s national governing body last night after calls from the director of next week’s Irish Milers Club meeting in Belfast to support a European permit for his event.

The meeting had attracted a horde of entries among Irish Olympic hopefuls who were keen to boost their chances of qualification, and it was awarded a European permit last December, which ensured generous placing points would be available on World Athletics’ event ranking system.