Irish Athletes Shine at European U23 Championships
Ireland’s Anika Thompson and Nicola Tuthill have made history at the European U23 Championships in Norway, marking significant milestones for both athletes and their country. Their performances not only highlighted their individual talents but also underscored the growing strength of Irish athletics on the international stage.
Thompson became the second-ever Irish athlete to secure a gold medal at the event, following in the footsteps of Sophie O’Sullivan, who claimed gold in the 1500m at the 2023 championships. In the women’s 10,000m final, Thompson clocked an impressive time of 32:31.47, setting a new national U23 record and securing her place in the history books. Heather Murphy also represented Ireland in the race, finishing in 35:07.09 and taking 19th place.
“Track and field is a sport of process, and every day I give my 100% for moments like this,” Thompson said after her victory. “The plan was to go by instincts, and I trusted my gut. I knew that if I had every tactic in the bag, I could do well, I could win if it goes out slow or if it goes out honest.”
Thompson expressed her gratitude to her family, including her grandmother Marie, aunt Fiona, and uncle Kevin, for being present at the event. “I was glad to put on a show for them today,” she added.
Meanwhile, Nicola Tuthill made history by claiming Ireland’s first field event medal at the championships. She secured a silver medal in the women’s hammer throw with a distance of 70.90m. “Second is where I was ranked, and second is where I came, so delighted with that,” Tuthill said. “I’m always looking for a little bit more, but these medals are really hard to come by. It’s really special. I know there is more in me, but it’s still another throw over 70m and my third best in the competition.”
Tuthill acknowledged the challenges of competing in major championships, noting the nerves and pressure that come with such events. “In a major championships like this, with the nerves and everything that comes with it, I’m delighted,” she said.
Other Irish Performances at the Championships
Earlier in the day, two other Irish athletes advanced to the finals. Eimear Maher secured her spot in the women’s 1500m final by finishing third in a time of 4:13.84. Ava O’Connor also qualified for the women’s 3000m steeplechase final, finishing second in 10:02.95.
Maher will compete in the 1500m final on Sunday afternoon, while O’Connor will run in the 3000m steeplechase final on Saturday evening. Their performances demonstrate the depth of talent within the Irish team and their potential to make further impact in the coming days.
Looking ahead, Nick Griggs will make his 5000m championship debut tomorrow, and Anna Gavigan will compete in the morning session during the women’s discus qualification. These upcoming events offer more opportunities for Irish athletes to showcase their skills and continue building on the success achieved so far.
A Growing Legacy in Irish Athletics
The achievements of Thompson, Tuthill, Maher, and O’Connor highlight the progress being made in Irish athletics. Their performances at the European U23 Championships not only bring pride to their families and communities but also inspire the next generation of athletes. As they continue to compete and push their limits, the future of Irish track and field looks increasingly promising.
