WATCH: Foley claims double gold at the World Games in Turkey

ATHLETICS

FERGAL LYNCH

Hill of Down athlete Liam Foley has claimed double gold at the Trisome Games in Antalya, Turkey on Sunday and Monday.

Foley produced another perfectly timed performance to claim gold in the 1500m on Sunday and then on Monday he execfuted another outstanding finish to win the 800m title in a thrilling tight finish.

The Trim AC runner settled nicely into the pack early in the 1500m race on Sunday and bided his time to perfection before turning on the afterburners in the closing stages to swept to victory and add to his already packed medal collection.

The Trisome Games 2024 is a multi-sport World championships event for athletes with Down Syndrome.

Liam, a middle-distance athlete, is currently ranked third in the World in the 800m men’s T21. He is also ranked seventh in the 1500m Men’s T21 category, but he made little of the ranking with a stunning performance.

2023 was an exciting and eventful year for Liam who has been a member of Trim AC since 2018. Early in the year Liam qualified for the SUDS European Championship in 100m. The event was hosted at Glenmore AC’s in collaboration with Down Syndrome Ireland’s Louth Meath branch.

As a seasoned road runner, Liam had to adapt to the track over the summer, where he had no lack of support from his coaches and fellow athletes.

During September, Liam travelled as part of a multi-sport Irish team to Padua, Italy for the European Championships. He was to compete in 100m, Triathlon, 800m and 1500m. Triathlon consisting of 100m, long jump and shot putt.

At those games we first saw an example of Liam's amazing timing and finishing burst as he claimed gold in the T21 1500m. He also added the 800m crown in a new European record of 2:55.63.

Liam has been training under the watchful eyes of his coaches John Rowe and Trish Duffy. The event in Turkey was a World Championship, and he faced athletes from Mexico and Brazil additional to European athletes.

Liam is accompanied by his parents Kevin Foley, Geraldine Regan and his brother Conor.