Dublin Grand Prix - 26 June
Athletes from at least 14 nations are expected to compete 20 & 50km at the 15th Waterford Crystal Dublin International Grand Prix of Race Walking on 26 June as a last gasp opportunity for qualification times for August's IAAF World Championships.
Former World champion Michele Didoni will need to get close to his winning performance at Phoenix Park two years ago to gain selection for Italy, but last year's winner Robert Heffernan of Ireland beat him in last month's European Cup. The EAA permit meeting this Sunday will also be an opportunity for Dan King, Andy Penn and Steve Hollier to post English Commonwealth qualifying times ahead of the English trials
in September.
The men[base ']s 50km race includes Eddy Roze of France, Mario Avellaneda of Spain and walkers from Latvia, Portugal and Poland, plus Steve Partington who will be attempting qualification for his 6th Commonwealth Games representing Isle of Man.
The meeting also includes the annual boys and girls 'Nihill Shield' Ireland v England match, named after Britain's last Olympic walks medallist Paul Nihill, who was actually born in Ireland.
Meeting Director Pierce O'Callaghan said "the meeting will be a 'last chance saloon' for Helsinki qualifying. It been a great indicator too - the last three 20km women's race winners (Erica Alfridi, Gillian O[base ']Sullivan and Jane Saville) have gone on to win major medals later the same year."
From last month Pierce O[base ']Callaghan has been organising the meeting from Edinburgh, fitted around his new job of Events Manager for Scottish Athletics.
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