2021 Cliodhna selected for Olympics

July, 2021

Cliodhna Tokyo Bound

The good news broke mid-week that Cliodhna Manning (KCH) had been selected as part of the mixed relay team for Tokyo. Back on May 1 at the World Relay’s in Chorzow, Poland, the quartet of Phil Healy (51.87), Chris O’Donnell (47.49), Sharlene Mawdsley (51.56) and Rio Olympian Thomas Barr (45.62) finished third in the semi-final. In doing so they smashed the Irish national record with their 3.16.84 effort, which was sufficient to secure them qualification for Tokyo. While Cliodhna was not initially part of that quartet, the final selection was always going to be dependent on ongoing performance over 400m along with individual placings in the 400m at the National Senior Track and Field Championships at the end of June.

Back in 2017, Cliodhna won the National Senior 400m, surprising many but clocking a fast 53 seconds. Since that time, she has been plagued with a foot injury, resulting in surgery early last year. The lockdown in 2020, cancellation of the Olympics and the suspension of all competition until August last year – played right into her hands. Suddenly the prospects of an Olympic Games was no longer a lost dream – but a potential reality. With plenty rehab, steady build up and careful planning she produced form this year, winning the AAI games in early June and then subsequently finishing 2^nd to Phil Healy at the National Senior 400m. It was the latter event that ultimately secured her selection. With the Olympics starting in less than a months’ time, our eyes will be fixed on our own Kilkenny interest.