ONE of the most eagerly awaited events in the Irish athletics calendar has been launched.
Morton Games International Athletics will take place at Morton Stadium, Santry, on Wednesday, July 12.
This promises to be an exciting night of athletics packed into a compact international programme from 7pm until 9pm.
In addition to European 1500m bronze medallist in 2016, Ciara Mageean, in the Women’s 800m, Rio Olympian Angie Petty (NZD) will race along with the winner of last year’s race Alex Bell (GBR), and also confirmed is Adelle Tracey (GBR).
One of the feature races on the night will be the Men’s 400m hurdles with the confirmed participation of Ireland’s Thomas Barr, who was a fourth place finisher at the Olympic Games in Rio.
Barr will face 2016 European silver medallist Sergio Fernandez (ESP) and former world champion Jehue Gordon (TTO).
The most famous race in Irish athletics, the Morton Mile, will be the feature race at 9pm. A field packed with sub four-minute milers including Kyle Merber (USA), Sam McEntee (AUS) and Daniel Herrera (MEX), will be sure to enthrall the crowd.
Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin, launched the 2017 Morton Games at a reception in Buswells Hotel, Molesworth Street.
The attendees included Ciara Mageean, Deputy Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Adrian Henchy, chief executive of Sport Ireland, John Treacy and Georgina Drumm, President of Athletics Ireland.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Griffin said: “I am delighted that the 2017 Morton Games, which is now one of the premier international track and field events in the country, will once again provide our top Irish athletes with the chance to challenge themselves against some of the best athletes in the world.
“It will also be a wonderful opportunity for athletes to prepare for the World Championships which take place in London in August.
“The range of athletes taking part this year from across the globe shows the true extent of the organisational work involved.”
Minister Griffin thanked the organising committee for its hard work in putting together a truly international athletics meet.
“I am sure it will be a successful and exciting event once again,” he added.
