Mark’s class as a half-miler was franked early when he was fifth at World Juniors in 2012, and he is already a four-time continental medallist and two-time Olympian. He won European bronze medals outdoors in 2014 and 2022, and European Indoor silver in 2015, plus an indoor bronze in 2019, most of that while studying medicine in UCD. He made the Olympic semi-finals on his debut in Rio, and putting his career as a doctor on hold this season to target Paris has paid dividends with some very timely form. His Irish record stood since 2021, but he lowered it twice in one week in June to secure his place in Paris, before winning his ninth Irish title at the national championships.