Michael Bolton
Ciara Mageean has withdrawn from the 1500m heats due to injury.
In her final weeks of preparation for the Paris Olympic Games, Ciara has been dealing with painful chronic Achilles issues.
Despite every effort made by Ciara and the Team Ireland medical team, the European champion will unfortunately be unable to toe the line on Tuesday morning.
Ciara said: “I’m absolutely heartbroken not to be able to compete in my third Olympic Games. I gave it everything to make it possible to be on the start line, but time was against me. I want to thank everyone for all their support.”
Mageean came fourth in the Worlds 1500m final and, in June, won gold in the Europeans in Rome at the same distance.
Mageean also took back the Irish 800m record this year, running 1:58.51, after improving her own Irish 1,500m record to 3:55.87 last summer.
Injury also impacted Mageean at the last Olympics in Tokyo as a calf problem contributed to her exit in the heats.
Sarah Healy and Sophie O’Sullivan get their championships underway in the 1500m heats on Tuesday morning.
O’Sullivan will race in heat one and Healy in heat two.
The first six athletes across the line in each heat will advance to the semi-finals with all remaining athletes heading for the repechage on Wednesday morning.
