Luke McCann
Athletics
BIOGRAPHY
Luke McCann represented Ireland in the 1,500 metres at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on his Olympic debut.
McCann came to athletics relatively late, having begun training seriously only in college after picking up the sport at 13 while accompanying his mother to collect his sister from training. His progression was interrupted in 2019 when he required knee surgery for fragmented cartilage, but he returned stronger and in 2021 set a five-second personal best of 3:36.81. His qualification for Paris 2024 came after a demanding period: a stress fracture delayed the start of his season until May, forcing him to race in seven countries across five weeks to accumulate the necessary ranking points. He set a personal best of 3:33.66 at the Diamond League pre-programme in Stockholm in June 2024.
His sister Jodie McCann also made her Olympic debut at Paris 2024, competing in the 5,000 metres – the first time a brother and sister made their Olympic debuts together for Ireland at the same Games.
OTHER ATHLETICS ATHLETES
ATHLETICS NEWS
SCHOOL’S OUT – DARE TO BELIEVE WRAPS A STANDOUT YEAR
The Olympic Federation of Ireland is celebrating a standout year for its Dare to Believe schools programme, proudly sponsored by Allianz and supported by Olympic Solidarity, which once again brought the Olympic Movement to the classroom, with values and learnings that cover resilience, respect and courage. As schools break for the summer, the programme is [...]
Two-Time Olympian Phil Healy Announces Retirement from Athletics
Following a Trailblazing Career That Helped Transform Irish Sprinting Two-time Olympian, European medalist and one of Ireland’s greatest ever sprinters, Phil Healy, has announced her retirement from international athletics. The Bandon AC athlete leaves the sport as one of the defining figures in the modern era of Irish sprinting, having played a central role in [...]
In The News – 22nd June 2026
Ireland Hockey, Athletics, Basketball and Boxing Update: Positive Progress Across the Board Hockey Ireland Women Secure Crucial Pro League Win The Ireland Women’s Hockey Team produced an impressive display to defeat Spain with a 3-1 win and strengthen their position in the FIH Hockey Pro League, building on their 1-1 draw against the same opposition [...]
In The News – June 15 2026
Boxing Two-time Olympic champion Kellie Harrington secured her first international gold medal since her Paris 2024 success, leading a strong Team Ireland performance at the opening phase of the Four Nations tournament in Glasgow. Harrington delivered an assured performance in the women’s 60kg elite final, defeating England’s Ella Lonsdale, as Ireland amassed an impressive 33 [...]
RIP – Gerry O’Reilly OLY
The Olympic Federation of Ireland is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Olympian Gerry O'Reilly, who has died at the age of 61. Gerry was not only an exceptional athlete who represented Ireland in the 1500 metres at the Seoul 1988 Olympic Games, he was also a long standing and generous supporter of [...]
Olympic Federation of Ireland Pays Tribute to Olympian Ciarán Ó Lionáird
The Olympic Federation of Ireland is deeply saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Olympian Ciarán Ó Lionáird, who has died at the age of 38. To become an Olympian is a rare and extraordinary achievement, the result of years of dedication, sacrifice and talent, and Ciarán reached that pinnacle when he represented Ireland [...]