Athletics Ireland is pleased to announce the team for the forthcoming World Athletics Championships in Paris, France from 23rd - 31st August.

The team will be led by a pair of O'Sullivan medal hopefuls, Gillian and Sonia, both of whom won National titles this weekend over 5000m. Gillian (Farranfore Maine Valley AC won the 5,000m walk with Sonia winning the 5k run.

Gareth Turnbull gets the nod in the 1500m courtesy of his National title ahead of James Nolan despite the fact that Nolan has run nearly a second faster.

The Men's 4x400m relay squad who finished fifth in the European Championships in Munich last year sees a number of changes with the drafting in of David Gillick, Paul Opperman and National 100m Champion Gary Ryan.

Fairplay to the AAI for the selections for the World Championships. Unlike the past where the AAI and the former BLÉ appeared to make selections for teams based on politics, friendships and spite, this year Athletics Ireland under the fair and logical leadership Liam Hennessy, Michael Heery and Patsy McGonagle announced a fair formula for selections prior to the Championships. The selection process assures that the best athletes (athletes that have achieved the A Standard or the Irish Champions (if they have achieved the B Standard will be rewarded with an Irish team kit and a place on the team in Paris. Each Country is entitled to select 3 athletes on an A standard and 1 on a B standard and the AAI selectors have agreed to select the National Champion in the event of more than 1 athlete achieving the B standard.

Women
400m Karen Shinkins, Dublin City Harriers
5000m Sonia O'Sullivan, Ballymore/Cobh
10000m Marie Davenport, Marian AC
100m Hurdles Derval O'Rourke, University College Dublin
20km Walk Gillian O'Sullivan, Farranfore Maine Valley AC
20km Walk Olive Loughnane, Loughrea AC

Men
200m Paul Brizzel, Ballymena & Antrim
400m Paul McKee, Beechmount Harriers
1500m Gareth Turnbull, St Malachy's
5000m /10000m Cathal Lombard, Leevale
110m Hurdles Peter Coghlan, Crusaders
50km Walk Jamie Costin, West Waterford
4 x 400m Relay Paul McKee; David Gillick, Dundrum South Dublin; David McCarthy, Celbridge; Paul Opperman, DSD; Gary Ryan, Nenagh Olympic; Paul Brizzel

Team Leader Michael McKeon
Assistant Michael Quinlan
Head Coach Paddy McGrattan
Coach Bernie O'Callaghan
Coach Paddy Fay
Physio Afric Morrissey
Doctor Fionnuala Geraghty