Athletics (Women)

Sarah Reilly (Age: 27; Event: 200m) - Born in Leeds, Reilly (nee Oxley) was a British international from 21. She married high jumper Brendan Reilly last year and both now compete for Ireland. Has twice broke the national 200m record (23.23 and 23.12).

PB: 23.12 (Irish record). First outing: Wednesday, 27th.

Karen Shinkins (Age: 23; Event: 400m/ 4x400m) - Broke Patricia Walsh's 11-year-old national record with 52.13 seconds in the semi-finals of the European Championships in 1998 and lowered it to 51.07 at the World Student Games in 1999. Reached the semi-finals of the World Championships in '99.

PB: 51.07 (Irish Record). First outing: Friday, 22nd.

Sinead Delahunty (Age: 29; Event: 1,500m) - Clocked 4:04.51 in Atlanta and came back even stronger in '97 and just failed to make the final of the 1,500 metres at the World Championships.

PB: 4:04.22. First outing: Wednesday, 27th.

Sonia O'Sullivan (Age: 30; Events: 5,000m/10,000m) - Six gold medals and a silver from six major championships - and all have been won over a variety of distances and terrain, from 1,500m to 10,000m on the track and the long and short course of the World Cross-Country Championships. She failed to finish the 5,000m in Atlanta and was relegated to fourth place in the final of the 3,000m in Barcelona. An Olympic medal is the only major honour she has yet to achieve. Her 8:21.64 for 3,000m has been beaten only by the Chinese.

PBs: 5,000m - 14:41.40 (Irish record). 10,000m - 31.29.33. Timetable: 5,000m - Friday, 22nd (heats), Monday, 25th (final); 10,000m - Wednesday 27th (heats), Saturday 30th (final).

Breda Dennehy-Willis (Age: 31; Events: 5,000m/10,000m) - The Florida-based Corkwoman produced a succession of excellent times this summer, including a 10,000m best of 32:11.30 and a 15:12.83 for 5,000m. PB: 5,000m - 15:12.83; 10,000 - 32:11.30. First outings: 5,000m - Friday, 22nd; 10,000m - Wednesday, 27th.

Rosemary Ryan (Age: 24; Event: 5,000m) - Finished 20th over the 8km longcourse and 27th on the short-course in this year's World Cross Country Championships.

PB: 15:17.57; First outing - Friday, 22nd.

Susan Walsh (Age: 28; Event: 400m Hurdles) - Swansong for Walsh (nee Smith). Has 13 national title victories and broke the 16year-old Irish 400m Hurdles record with 56.49 in 1996. Just missed the final in Atlanta, but became the first Irish athlete to reach a sprint final at a major event at the World Championships in '97.

PB: 54.31 (Irish record). First outing: Sunday, 24th.

Gillian O'Sullivan (Age: 24; Event: 20km Walk) - Finished ninth in the 10km Walk at the European Under-23 Championships in 1997 and eighth at the World Student Games in Italy. The Kerrywoman finished 23rd at the European Championships in '98.

PB: 1:31.31; First outing: Thursday, 28th.

Olive Loughnane (Age: 25; Event: 20km Walk) - Won the British AAA title over 5km in 1997 and represented Ireland again at the 1999 World Team Championships.

PB: 1:35.06; First outing: Thursday, 28th.

Ciara Sheehy (Age: 20; Event: 4x400m) - Broke the 22-year-old national 200m record of Michelle Walsh when winning the bronze medal at the European Junior Championships in 23.49 seconds last year. Had won 200m gold at 1997 European Youth Olympics.

PB: 53.53.

Emily Maher (Age: 19; Event: 4x400m) - Won two gold medals (100m and 200m) at the World Youth Olympics in 1998 and has improved remarkably under the coaching of Linford Christie.

PB: 53.60.

Martina McCarthy (Age: 18; Event: 4x400) - Youngest member of the Irish team. Reached the final of the European Youth Olympics in 1997.

PB: 53.92.

Adrian McIvor (Age: 29; Event: 4x400) - From Brisbane, Australia, McIvor qualifies through her grandfather.

PB: 55.10. First outing: Friday, 29th.