Team Ireland middle-distance runners Paul Robinson and Ciarán O’Lionáird both qualified for Sunday’s 1500m final in their semi-finals today.
Kildareman Robinson put in a magnificent run to seal automatic qualification when the 23-year-old finished fourth in his heat in a time of 3.39.83.
O’Lionáird booked his spot in the final as one of four fastest losers after he came seventh with a time of 3.39.79 in his semi-final.
However there was huge disappointment for medal hope Rob Heffernan – the reigning world champion dropped out during the 50km race walk at the European Track and Field Championships in Zurich this morning.
Heffernan had been in third place during the early stage of the race but began to struggle as the leaders upped the pace and he pulled up at the 40km-mark due to fatigue as he slipped down the field.
Mark English is the only other Irish athlete in action today, the Letterkenny man will line out in this evening’s 800m final at 6.55pm.
