RIO-BOUND steeplechaser Kerry O’Flaherty is just one of a host of top athletes from home and abroad who are expected to compete at the Belfast International Athletics Meet at the Mary Peters Track on May 7.
The meeting will be organised jointly by Athletics Northern Ireland, Beechmount Harriers and the Irish Milers Club.
The Belfast International was cancelled last year but will now return to the fixture list in conjunction with the highly successful Irish Milers’ Club meeting hosted last year by the enterprising Beechmount Harriers.
Kerry O’Flaherty yesterday joined Gary Keenan, President of Athletics Northern Ireland, Councillor Arder Carson, Lord Mayor of Belfast, Eamonn Christie Beechmount Harriers and Co-Founder of the Irish Milers Club Brendan Hackett to launch the 2016 event at the City Hall, Belfast.
The Newcastle AC athlete qualified for the Olympics when she ran a Northern Ireland record of 9:42.51 at the Letterkenny Sub Four Minute Mile Challenge meeting in Letterkenny last summer.
She followed that up with a credible performance at the World Athletics Championships in Beijing and helped Ireland to the team bronze medals at the European Cross Country in France just before Christmas.
The 34-year-old has opened the year impressively too, helping Ireland to third place in the 4x1K relay at the Great Edinburgh Cross Country before finishing 11th at Antrim 10 days ago.
“I am overjoyed that Belfast has a truly world-class facility that serves both current and future generations of athletes,” said Councillor Arder Carson, Lord Mayor of Belfast.
“The presence of a world class venue ensures a legacy of athletics development for the City for many years to come.”
It is hoped that the international will serve as an ideal warm-up for those looking to gain standards for the 2016 Olympics in Rio, and will hopefully succeed in attracting thousands to the stadium on the Upper Malone Road by showcasing both local and international talent.
“This is a fantastic event for everyone involved and provides an opportunity to showcase one of the country’s top athletics arenas,” said Athletics NI secretary John Allen.
“Taking place at the start of the track and field season, the Belfast International Athletics Meet will offer fans an opportunity see world-class athletes compete at the home of Athletics in Northern Ireland ahead of the Games.”
Last year, over 200 athletes took part at the Irish Milers’ Club Meeting hosted by Beechmount Harriers and organised by Eamon Christie.
