Eight Irish athletes will compete at the IAAF World Athletics Championships at the Al Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar starting Friday September 27th until Sunday October 6th.
Events inside the refurbished Khalifa Stadium have been scheduled later in the day to factor in the searing Doha daytime heat. Unlike previous World Championships, there are no morning sessions, with the competition starting after 16:00 local time, 14.00 Irish time, at the earliest.
To further offset the effects of the heat there is an air-conditioning system operating inside the venue. This was implemented at the Doha Diamond League event in May.
The men's marathon will run into the night. Stephen Scullion of Clonliffe Harriers will be on the start line for the marathon just before midnight local time.
Day One
There are two Irish athletes lining up on day one of the IAAF World Athletics Championships.
The first day of action sees Michelle Finn (Leevale) in the second heat, of three in the 3,000m steeplechase. The Leevale runner will line up at 17:11 Irish time.
In the women’s steeplechase, the first three qualify from each heat qualifies automatically with the next six fastest runners advancing to the final.
Olympic fourth-placed finisher Thomas Barr will get his quest for a medal underway at 18:35 Irish time. The Ferrybank clubman goes in heat one, of five, in lane 7 of the men’s 400m hurdles.
In the men’s 400m hurdles the first four in each heat qualify automatically for the semi-finals and the next four fastest.
Irish in action at IAAF World Championships Irish time:
Day 1 Friday September 27
Michelle Finn (Leevale) 3,000m steeplechase heat 2 - 17:11
Thomas Barr (Ferrybank) 400m hurdles heat 1 - 18:35
Day 2 Saturday September 28
Mark English (UCD) 800m heats – 15:15
Thomas Barr 400m hurdles semi-finals – 16:05
Brendan Boyce (Finn Valley) 50km race walk – 21:30
Day 3 Sunday September 29
Mark English (UCD) 800m semi-finals – 19:55
Day 4 Monday September 30
Phil Healy (Bandon) 200m heats – 15:05
Michelle Finn 3,000m steeplechase final – 19:50
Thomas Barr 400m hurdles final – 20:40
Day 5 October 1
Phil Healy 200m semi-finals – 19:35
Mark English 800m final – 20:10
Day 6 October 2
Ciara Mageean (City of Lisburn) 1500m heats – 15:35
Phil Healy 200m final 20:35
Day 7 October 3
Ciara Mageean 1500m semi-finals – 21:00
Day 8 October 4
Alex Wright (Leevale) 20km race walk 21:30
Day 9 October 5
Ciara Mageean 1500m final – 18:55
Stephen Scullion (Clonliffe Harriers) marathon – 21:59
