Phil Healy says she withdrew from the 400m at the upcoming European Indoor Athletics Championships as she felt her performance would not be up to her "desired standards". The Bandon AC athlete will travel to Istanbul for the championships as part of the women's 4x400m relay team. Healy added that she has had a "very rough few months" trying to "overcome some health issues".
At the weekend, the Cork woman finished second behind Sophie Becker in the 400m at the National Indoor Championships. Two years ago, at the European Indoors in Poland, Healy finished just outside the medals in fourth.
"Unfortunately I have withdrawn from competing individually over 400m at the European Championships next week," Healy said in a statement posted to Twitter on Thursday night.
"It's disappointing considering I finished 4th at the last European Indoors and it's the first Indoor major championships I have missed individually since 2016. However, that's how it rolls with the joys of the highs and lows in sport.
"It has been a very rough few months that I have only shared with a few people, to try and overcome some health issues and get my body responding again. Unfortunately I fell on the wrong side of time for this indoor season. Knowing that an Individual performance wasn't going to be at my desired standards, I still toed the line at nationals and opened my season to do what I could, to try and post a time to help the 4x400m relay secure qualification for European Indoors.
"I'm delighted that we collectively succeeded in securing that qualification and I'm looking forward to competing with the girls next week in the relay and watching the whole Irish team perform in their respective events!"
6 March 2021; Phil Healy of Ireland on the way to finishing fourth ahead of Andrea Miklos of Romania, left, and behind bronze medallist Jodie Williams of Great Britain in the Women's 400m final during the second session on day two of the European Indoor Athletics Championships at Arena Torun in Torun, Poland. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
A team of 16 Irish athletes for the championships in Istanbul - which take places from March 2nd - 5th - was named on Thursday.
Irish team for 2023 European Indoor Athletics Championships
Molly Scott 60m (selection pending proof of fitness)
Joan Healy 60m
Israel Olatunde 60m
Sarah Lavin 60mH
Sharlene Mawdsley 400m & 4x400m
Sophie Becker 400m & 4x400m
Cliodhna Manning 400m & 4x400m
Phil Healy 4x400m
Miriam Daly 4x400m
Niamh Murray 4x400m
Kate O'Connor Pentathlon
Mark English 800m
John Fitzsimons 800m
Andrew Coscoran 1500m
Luke McCann 1500m
Darragh McElhinney 3000m
Unfortunately I have withdrawn from competing individually over 400m at the European Indoors next week. Disappointing but thats how it rolls.
A little honest explanation for those wondering why I had not raced throughout the indoor season like usual 🫶🏻 pic.twitter.com/L5lqYBBxLZ— Phil Healy (@philhealy2) February 23, 2023
See Also: Bizarre Disallowed Goal Costs Ireland In Goalless Draw With China
