IRISH BADMINTON STARS Scott Evans and Chloe Magee have officially qualified for Rio, the Olympic Council of Ireland announced this afternoon.

After an anxious wait, the pair can now begin their preparations for the 2016 Games after securing the necessary points to qualify.

Evans claimed one of the 36 places in the men’s singles and will compete at his third Olympics this summer.

The 28-year-old, who was beaten by the then reigning Olympic champion Lin Dan in London, is currently ranked 61st in the world.

Magee, meanwhile, qualified for the women’s singles draw in 34th spot with a good performance at the recent European Championships proving crucial in securing enough points.

Over the course of the coming weeks, the full line-up for Team Ireland will be confirmed with many athletes having already secured qualification in their various sports.

The first group of confirmed athletes are:

Badminton Ireland

• Scott Evans – Men’s Singles
• Chloe Magee – Women’s Singles

Irish Athletic Boxing Association

• Michael Conlon – Men’s Bantam Weight
• Paddy Barnes – Men’s Light Flyweight
• Joe Ward – Men’s Light Heavyweight
• Stephen Donnelly – Men’s Welter Weight
• Brendan Irvine – Men’s Flyweight
• David Oliver Joyce – Men’s Lightweight

Gymnastics Ireland

• Kieran Behan – Artistic Gymnastics All Around
• Ellis O’Reilly – Artistic Gymnastics All Around

Rowing Ireland

• Sinead Lynch – Lightweight Women’s Double Scull
• Claire Lambe – Lightweight Women’s Double Scull
• Paul O’Donovan – Lightweight Men’s Double Scull
• Gary O’Donovan – Lightweight Men’s Double Scull

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