PARALYMPICS PIC Announce Irish Team for 2011 IPC Athletics World Championships

01 Oct 2010


The Paralympic Council of Ireland today officially announced the Irish team for the 2011 IPC World Athletics Championships. Nine Irish athletes will represent Ireland at the forthcoming Championships, to be held in Christchurch, New Zealand from 21st - 30th January 2011.

The team will be led by Head of Paralympic Athletics, James Nolan and comprises nine new and experienced athletes and includes Beijing 2008 Paralympic Gold Medallists Jason Smyth and Michael McKillop. Speaking on the team announcement Team Manager, James Nolan said: "I have been working with the athletes since my appointment as Head of Paralympic Athletics last April and it goes without saying that the Championships will be a tough event for our athletes. They are training and preparing well and I am confident they will perform to their abilities come January 21st."

Commenting on the announcement, Paralympic Council of Ireland C.E.O., Liam Harbison, said: "This is a very significant step for our athletics team on the road to London 2012. The team has a blend of experience and new blood and this will be a great experience for the new athletes. I wish James Nolan and his team every success in their continuing preparation over the winter months and for the Championships in January."

The Irish team comprises nine athletes, across a range of disability groups, who will compete in the following events:

  • Catherine Wayland, New Ross, Co. Wexford, F51 Class - Discus and Club
  • Rosemary Tallon, Drogheda, Co. Louth, F52 Class - Shot and Discus
  • Orla Barry, Ladysbridge, Co. Cork, F57 Class - Discus
  • Michael McKillop, Ballymena, Co. Antrim, T37 Class, 800m & 1500m
  • Jason Smyth, Derry, Co. Derry, T13 Class, 100m &200m
  • Ailish Dunne, Mountmellick, Co. Laois, F11 Class, Shot
  • Nadine Lattimore, Clontarf, Dublin, F11 Class, Shot
  • Ray O'Dwyer, Hugginstown, Co. Kilkenny, F34 Class, Javelin & Shot
  • Garrett Culliton, Clonaslee, Co. Laois, F52 Class, Discus


The Irish Team Support Staff are:

  • James Nolan Team Manager
  • Stephan Maguire Track Coach
  • Dan Kennedy Throws Coach
  • Pat Furlong Throws Coach
  • Pam Blanch Guide Female Vision Impaired Athlete
  • Fintan O'Donnell Team Physiotherapist
  • Maria Furlong Personal Assistant