John Coghlan: Irish athletics still has cart before the horse

A Dublin coach is helping athletes from Puerto Rico, France and China to major championship medals. He could stand between Sarah Lavin and one at the Olympics.

France's Cyrena Samba-Mayela (L) and Bahamas' Devynne Charlton compete in the Women's 60m hurdles final during the Indoor World Athletics Championships in Glasgow. Pic: Anne-Christine POUJOULAT, AP

Four months until the Olympics, and one of Ireland’s most successful coaches picks up the phone 4,000 miles from home. John Coghlan knows this isn’t how it should be but, well, it’s how it is.

Ever since 2020, the Dubliner has plied his trade in Orlando, Florida, helping athletes from Puerto Rico, France and China to major championship medals. It won’t be changing anytime soon.