Northern Ireland Athletes Qualify for 2026 World Indoors

Athletics Ireland has confirmed several athletes who meet the ‘A’ standard for upcoming competitions. The final list of qualifiers will be released by World Athletics on March 11th, at which point athletes who achieved the ‘B’ standard will be confirmed.

Several Irish athletes have demonstrated strong performances recently, securing their places or awaiting confirmation for international competition.

Confirmed Selections

Kate O’Connor of Dundalk St Gerard’s AC will compete in the women’s pentathlon. She previously won a silver medal last year and secured Ireland’s first World Indoor Championship medal since 2006 in 2025, at the age of 24. Her coaches are Michael O’Connor, Tom Reynolds, and Dave Sweeney.

Mark English, representing Finn Valley AC, has been selected for the men’s 800m. He achieved a time of 1:44.23 at a World Indoor Tour Gold meeting and set an Irish Indoor 600M record in January at the Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena in Dublin. Justin Rinaldi is his coach.

Nick Griggs of CNDR Track Club has been selected for the men’s 3000m. This selection follows his recent National Championships victory and a record-breaking run at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in January. Mark Kirk is his coach.

Lauren Roy of Fast Twitch AC will compete in the women’s 60m. She had a breakthrough season competing for Tarleton State University in the NCAA collegiate circuit and recently broke the NI Indoor 60m record with a time of 7.19, placing her equal second on the Irish all-time Women’s 60m list. Timothy Thompson is her coach.

Selections Pending Confirmation

James Gormley of Carmen Runners is provisionally selected for the men’s 1500m. He broke the NI Indoor mile record this season and achieved the Athletics Ireland ‘B’ Standard. His selection is pending confirmation by World Athletics. Ben Thomas is his coach.