Ratoath athletes selected for National u-20 team

Ratoath athletes Aimee Doherty and Jed Walshe have been selected for the National U-20, 4x400m relay squads for 2021.

Both are members of Ratoath Athletic Club and have achieved success all the way through the under-age ranks.

Jed was selected last February for the 2020 squad, but he only got to attend a few squad training sessions before Covid-19 shut down all competition and training.

"This is a huge achievement for these two talented athletes," commented Ratoath AC secretary Sinead McGoldrick.

"Aimee is only 16 years old and Jed is 17 and both of them have been Ratoath AC members since they were six years old.

"Jed was on this squad last February, but unfortunately did not get a chance to compete due to Covid.

"Hopefully they will get the opportunity this time," she concluded.

The goal for the Irish athletes will be qualification for the 2021 European U-20 Championships and the World U-20 Championships, Nairobi, Kenya

The European Athletics U-20 Championships will take place at the Kadriorg Stadium in Tallinn, Estonia in 2021 from 15th - 18th July subject to easing of current restrictions.

Fifty years (1970) ago the first European Junior Championships – now the European Athletics U-20 Championships – got underway in the Stade Olympique de Colombes in a suburb of Paris and the 26th edition will be held next July.

The World U-20 Championships are scheduled to take place from 17th - 22 August next year.

All of the events are dependent on the health restrictions and Government advice that is in place at the time.