The opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics should be taking place today in Tokyo. The plans of thousands of sportspeople were dashed by covid-19, and we have no idea if the Olympics will happen at all. What's done is done and what will be, will be. Over in Switzerland this evening, Ciara Mageean has provided us with a glimpse of what might have been with a scintillating run in the 800m, and broken an Irish record in the process.
Mageean became the first woman to ever break the 2.00.00 threshold in the 800m when she ran 1.59.69 to win the 800m final at a meet in Bern. No woman on this island has ever broken the 2 minute barrier in that race.
It should be stated that Mageean's preferred race in the 1500m.
— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) July 24, 2020
Ciara Mageean becomes the first Irish Woman to break the 2 Min 800m Time in Switzerland and breaks the NI & Irish records in a time of 1:59.69.
Full story: https://t.co/Np0KnoEOEs pic.twitter.com/uZSYedaNIY— Athletics NI (@AthleticsNI) July 24, 2020
Massive national record by @ciaramageean in Bern, becoming the first Irishwoman ever to break two minutes for 800m. pic.twitter.com/XQc7EyIBxp
— Cathal Dennehy (@Cathal_Dennehy) July 24, 2020
This run should come as no surprise. Mageean told RTÉ last week she was mentally and physically at peak form.
"I'm as fit as I’ve ever been. I’m so much fitter and stronger and in a really good mental place, so I’m very upset that I can’t get an Irish vest on and go out and race for Ireland.
"I've been eyeing up Irish records for a long time and getting closer and closer.
Well that's one Irish record for the Co. Down runner. We imagine she'll be eyeing the Irish record in the 1500m next.
