The Irish Times Sport Ireland Sportswoman of the Month December 2023: Fionnuala McCormack (athletics)

Fionnuala McCormack made sporting history by becoming the first Irish woman to qualify for five successive Olympic Games when she ran inside the Olympic qualifying time at the Valencia marathon back in December. She had previously matched Sonia O’Sullivan and Olive Loughnane in achieving four chances to compete at the Olympics when she ran the marathon in Tokyo in 2021. When she participates in Paris she will achieve that fifth record-breaking appearance. 

Back to December 2023, a week after that qualification in Valencia, the Wicklow woman produced yet another outstanding European Cross Country Championships performance. Agonisingly she finished fourth in Belgium. It was the fifth time she missed out on a medal by just one spot in the race, having previously won twice, in 2011 and 2012. She will equal the most ever appearances in the Championships - 19 - if she competes in it again later this year.

Congratulations to Fionnuala McCormack, The Irish Times Sport Ireland Sportswoman of the Month for December 2023. 

ENDS -

Established in 2004 by The Irish Times, The Irish Times Sport Ireland Sportswoman of the Year Awards recognise the abilities and achievements of women in Irish sports. The awards run over a 12-month period, with the judges selecting a winner each month for her ability to excel at sport. The monthly winner is announced in The Irish Times Women in Sport pages which are published every Friday.   

For further information email: sportswomanoftheyear@irishtimes.com   
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