Reigning European 5000 metres and 10000m gold medallist Sonia O'Sullivan is keeping her options open on what events she will contest at the National Championships this weekend.
Reigning European 5000 metres and 10000m gold medallist Sonia O'Sullivan is keeping her options open on what events she will contest at the National Championships this weekend.
O'Sullivan, currently based in London, will travel to Dublin before deciding whether to race over 1500m or attempt to achieve the 5000m qualifying time of 15 minutes and 20 seconds for next month's European Championships in Germany.
O’Sullivan easily achieved the required standard for the longer distance when a runaway winner of the Commonwealth Games trial in Manchester last month where she ran as a guest.
Although winning the 10000m in Munich - where he main rivals will include Britain's Paula Radcliffe - remains her major aim, O'Sullivan has always nurtured ambitions of achieving another double.
The weather will play a key part in what distances she runs at the Santry Stadium this weekend.
"I would like to run both events in Munich and I am sure I can cope with them," said O'Sullivan. "But I must finally convince myself I am in the right shape to run both."
One statistical record seems likely to be broken at the Irish meeting.
Terry McHugh, a four-time Olympian and also winter bobsleigh representative, has won every javelin title since 1984.
If he can win yet again, McHugh will better the unique performance of Dave Norris. The New Zealander won 18 consecutive national triple jump titles in his native country during the 1950 and 1960s.
Although defending champion Tomas Cooman will be absent, the 400m promises to be a highly competitive race. Recently-crowned record holder Paul McKee and Robert Daly head a highly talented field.