Jesse looks to make impact on Olympic stage

Jesse Osas, who normally runs in the colours of Ratoath AC, is this week in Banska Bystrica, Slovakia taking part in the European Youth Olympics chasing gold in the green of Ireland.

Earlier this week the talented young athlete finished sixth in the 100m final in the intense heat in Slovakia achieving a PB of 10.86 seconds. He also broke the club record which has been held by Brian Eiffe since 1981.

Tomorrow Osas will take part in the medley relay event as a member of an Irish team.

A student at Dunshaughlin Community College, Osas is, according secretary and coach at Ratoath AC Sinead McGoldrick, a highly focused young athlete with a very promising future.

"To get a PB of 10.86 is a fantastic achievement. He is a young man with lots of talent and he's still only 16. He has been making massive improvements in recent times.

"He is a very dedicated young athlete looking to make his mark, he is really enthusiastic and has given everything to improve himself as a sprinter and it has paid off."

Osas qualified for the Youth Olympics when he performed well at the Leinster Schools Championships at Santry a few months ago.

He got a PB in his heat in Slovenia. He then pushed on to achieve another PB in the 100m final.

"He works hard word as a sprinter. It's a very challenging event because it's always so close at the finish. He's a young man with lots of potential and his progress has got massive reaction on our Facebook page and Instagram," added Sinead McGoldrick.

"It is one of the biggest reactions we've got. I think everyone realises the significance of his achievement."

The Irish sprint medley relay team is made up of runners for the 100m, 200m, 300m and 400m with Osas covering the 100m distance.