SEVEN IRISH ATHLETES have retroactively achieved Rio qualification standards, after Athletics Ireland confirmed a revision to the process.

Athletes such as Ciara Everard (800m) and Ciara Mageean (1500m) were expected to be rewarded after the qualification time for their events was lowered by the IAAF, and these changes have now been ratified by the Olympic Council of Ireland.

A statement from Athletics Ireland on the matter added: “As outlined in the updated Rio qualification process any eligible athlete can qualify in one of two ways:

“1. Achieve the entry standard within the qualification period.

“2. Be invited by the IAAF as the best ranked athlete(s) at the end of the qualification period to fill the remaining quota places by event, and respecting the maximum quota per NOC per event.”

As a result, Everard and Mageean have achieved the necessary Rio qualification standard, as have Barbara Sanchez (Women’s Marathon), Gary Thornton, Thomas Frazer, Sean Hehir and Eoin Callaghan (all Men’s Marathon)

For more info on the entry standards and qualification process, in addition to the 2016 Olympic Games Selection Criteria, click here.

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