DCU send-off for Olympic and Paralympic Athletes

A special send-off event was hosted today at Dublin City University to celebrate the achievement of DCU student and graduates in qualifying to compete in the Olympic and Paralympic Games London 2012.

To date, a record number of DCU athletes have qualified. Five students and graduates have qualified in a range of disciplines with a further four having achieved Olympic B standard and hoping to achieve qualification by the beginning of July. The qualified athletes are:

• Fionnuala Britton Olympics – Steeplechase/5,000m/10,000m

• Linda Byrne Olympics – Marathon

• Padraig Moran Paralympics – Boccia

• Laura Reynolds Olympics – 20k Walk

• Deirdre Ryan Olympics – High Jump

Darren O'Neill, a graduate of St Patrick's College, Drumcondra, a linked college of DCU, has also qualified to compete in the boxing category.

Speaking at the event, Professor Brian MacCraith, said,

"We are very proud to recognise today the outstanding sporting talent of the DCU athletes who will represent Ireland in the Olympics and Paralympics later this summer. Their achievement in qualifying is testament to undeniable talent and complete dedication to their sport. DCU is certainly punching well above its weight in terms of the calibre of its sporting stars and the first-class training facilities provided on campus. The whole DCU community will be loudly cheering on our athletes throughout the tournaments."