Twelve months ago everyone in Irish athletics was preparing for the one of the biggest events on the athletics calendar, the world cross country championships. A number of committees had been working round the clock to prepare for the event that would be staged at Leopardstown race course at the end of March. Unfortunately, all that work went by the board as the dreaded Foot and Mouth disease caused the cancellation of sports events all over the country. The national cross country championships, the trial for the world’s, just escaped the ban, and proved to be one of the last athletics events in Ireland before the all-clear was given. The world championships eventually went ahead in Belgium, with course officials there all wearing the special gear designed for Leopardstown.
Thanks to the IAAF, and the excellent contacts Irish officials have with them, the world cross country championships were re-allocated to Ireland, and will go ahead in Leopardstown at the end of March.
Thanks must also go to the countries who were originally allocated the event for this year and next who readily agreed to wait a year.
All the committees who were so active last year are now back in action, and, by all accounts, the event is one that must not be missed by anyone with even the slightest interest in athletics.
Two Cork athletes have been pre-selected for the event, Sonia O’Sullivan from the Ballymore Cobh club and Mark Carroll from Leevale. Also selected is Seamus Power from Clare and Ann Keenan Buckley from Laois. The national championships will be held in the Aer Lingus sports complex in Dublin at the end of February with the first three in each of the four races gaining automatic selection for the Irish teams.
Tickets are now on sale for the world championships at a special discounted rate which will be available until February 15th. Basically the one day rate for an adult is €14 and €20 for the two days. Tickets for children are €7 per day and €12 for two days, while two adults with two children are €35 per day and €60 for the two days. Special club deals are also available. Further details are available from Athletics Ireland by phoning (01) 8309901.
(Photos of Leopardstown course)