Whatever outdated ideas persist about her event, McKinna wants to debunk myths about sportswomen in her field
4 March 2021 • 7:30am
Whenever Sophie McKinna does something of note - an increasing occurrence since becoming Britain’s first female shot putter to make a world final for 36 years - the same photo tends to accompany news of her latest feat: tongue out, eyeballs bulging, in her attempt to launch the four-kilogram shot as far as she can.
It is an image of one of the best athletes in their field doing exactly what they need to be one of the best in the world. But, like the image of shot put more generally, says McKinna, the photograph seems to confirm a lot of stereotypical ideas about her sport.
Sport Journalist
Much has been made of the size of the 23-strong Irish team which will compete over the four days of the upcoming European Indoor Championships in Torun this weekend, but ultimately the currency of success is medals and winning even one from four days of competition looks a daunting task.
The Ireland team, however, has had a long and happy relationship with the most accessible championship for its athletes who earned two podium successes from the last staging in 2019.
Mark English, the bronze medallist over 800 metres in Glasgow last time out, returns to a championship which has seen him also win silver in Prague back in 2015.
Irish runner McElhinney out of European Indoors following Covid positive
Cork’s McElhinney was due to compete in the men’s 3000m in Poland. By Niall Kelly Wednesday 3 Mar 2021, 2:56 PM Mar 3rd 2021, 2:56 PM 3,840 Views 3 Comments
Disappointment: Darragh McElhinney will not compete in Poland this week (file photo).
Image: Bryan Keane/INPHO
Image: Bryan Keane/INPHO
IRISH RUNNER DARRAGH McElhinney has been ruled out of the European Indoor Championships after testing positive for Covid-19.
The Glengarriff youngster was slated to compete in the men’s 3000m which gets underway in Torun, Poland on Saturday morning.
“Unfortunately I’ve had to withdraw from the European Championships after getting a ‘weak positive’ Covid test,” McElhinney confirmed on Twitter on Wednesday.
Oh my God, this Irish girl can run : The rise and rise of Nadia Power
An in-depth look at the 23-year-old DCU student, after her incredible few weeks. By Paul Fennessy Wednesday 3 Mar 2021, 8:41 PM Mar 3rd 2021, 8:41 PM 47,088 Views 11 Comments
Updated at 11.05
A COUPLE of years ago, Nadia Power made a decision that looked destined to have a major impact on her career.
A hugely talented athlete as a youngster, the Dubliner’s prowess ensured US colleges were lining up to recruit her on a scholarship.
Villanova University in Pennsylvania has traditionally been home to a number of Irish athletics stars, while Iona College in New York and Providence College in Rhode Island were both strongly considered before Power ultimately chose the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.