A SPARKLING night of athletics is promised at Morton Stadium, Santry on July 11.
Last week, Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring, launched Dublin’s only international track and field Meet.
The Morton Games will feature over a dozen Olympic athletes and some 80 international athletes from all five continents.
Minister Ring said he was delighted to launch the Morton Games.
“This great event continues to grow and has become one of the premier track and field events in the country,
? he stated.
“The range of athletes competing this year shows that the Morton Games is a premier event. I want to wish everyone involved every success.
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Irish international 800-metre athlete Mark English, who recently finished 2nd at the New York Diamond League, described it as one of the best events in the international athletics calendar.
“I have great memories from last year when I broke the stadium record for 800m,
? he said.
?There is a top class field this year and hopefully I can break the Irish record. I would ask as many people as possible to come to Santry and give the Irish team a big send off.
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The Morton Games takes place just two weeks before the Irish team heads to Zurich for the European Track and Field Championships.
The Morton Games will feature several Olympians and indeed Olympic medallists. Best known amongst them is Francis Obikwelu (POR) who will compete in the 100 and 200 metres. With a PB of 9.86 he was an Olympic silver medallist in 2004 and also silver medallist at the World Championships that year.
Also confirmed to compete in the 100 is the 2013 USA Indoor 60 metre champion D’Angelo Cherry. Ireland’s top man over the sprint Steven Colvert will relish the challenge in front of a home crowd.
Meet director Noel Guiden told Northside People:
“The 400 is awash with world and Olympic medallists including Manteo Mitchell of the USA who competed in last year’s Meet.
“Manteo was one of the US heroes of the 2012 Olympics in London. In the heats of the 4×400 relay he actually broke his leg but still managed to pass the baton onto his teammate as the US successfully negotiated their way through the semi-finals and into the final.
“Manteo was honoured at the White House by President Obama at a post Olympic reception. Obama proclaimed him as a true American hero.
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In recent years the Morton Mile has been the feature race of athletics Meets in Santry and July 11 will be no different. Some of the world’s top milers will be present.
The star attraction may be Juan Luis Barrios, who lit up Morton Stadium in 2013. Barrios a two-time Olympic 5000m finalist, won the 3000m and then 40 minutes later finished 3rd in the Morton Mile, setting a Mexican record in the process.
On the subject of records, US collegiate 1500m record holder Kyle Merber is one to be reckoned with. However, the smart money will be on last year’s Morton Mile winner, Corey Leslie (USA), coming back to defend his title, and the charismatic Jordan McNamara (USA) the 2011 Morton Mile winner. Irish hopes will rest on the shoulders of David McCarthy and Eoin Everard.
Mr Guiden pointed out that the Women’s International Mile has also attracted world class athletes.
“Coming to Santry is Molly Huddle,
? he said.
“She is the US 5000 record holder and was a finalist at the London Olympics two years ago.
“Australian Olympian Gen Laceze also comes back to Santry, she was injured last year and missed the event, and Nicole Schappert (USA) who won this race in 2012.
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This promises to be an occasion not to be missed!