Athletics: Former World Championship silver medallist walker Olive Loughnane has announced her competitive athletics at the age of 36.
The Loughrea AC athlete has had a star studded international career that has spanned over 12 years and represented Ireland in four consecutive Olympic Games.
Loughnane’s best placing came at the 2008 Games in Beijing where she finished in seventh place in the 20k walk in a personal best of 1:27.45.
The pinnacle of her achievements came the following year at the World Championships in Berlin where she won a silver medal in the 20k walk in a time of 1:28:58 Berlin.
She competed in six consecutive world championships from 2001 and also represented Ireland in two European Athletics Championships.
The Co Cork-born athlete also won multiple national titles over 3k/5k/10k/20k distances and is the current Irish record holder in the 10k in a time of 43:22.
Announcing her decision, Loughnane said: “To retire from athletics was always going to be a tough decision for me. I can be happy with everything I have achieved and I have no regrets. I want to thank Athletics Ireland, the Irish Sports Council and the Olympic Council for all their help and support throughout my career.”
Paying tribute to Loughnane, Athletics Ireland chief executive John Foley said: “Olive Loughnane has made an outstanding contribution to Irish athletics. Her achievements at national and international level have been of the highest quality.
“From her excellent achievement in Beijing to her incredible performance in Berlin, she has been one of Ireland’s best. On behalf of Athletics Ireland and myself I want to wish her all the best for the future.”