Athens may be reached via Iceland

Athletics News round-upA fortnight before the cut-off point for qualification, several Irish athletes will use this weekend's European Cup group meeting as one of their last chances to secure a ticket to the Athens Olympics.

Joining the Irish team for their trip to Reykjavik, Iceland, is Paul Brizzel, who already has the required time over 200 metres.

His addition should improve the chances of the Irish team gaining promotion from the second league Group A, the equivalent of the European Cup's fourth division. The opposition are hosts Iceland and Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Lithuania, Luxembourg and the Association of Small States.

There are late defections, including Peter Coghlan in the 110 metres hurdles and Cathal Lombard in the 5,000 metres.

Coghlan will seek stiffer competition as he tries to dip under the 13.55 seconds that would get him to Athens.

July 3rd was set as the deadline for qualification by the Olympic Council of Ireland, the day of the Cork City Sports.

Peter Monaghan is in for Coghlan and Lombard's place goes to Robert Connelly.

Derval O'Rourke, in the 100 metres hurdles, is the only member of the women's team in action who already has Olympic qualification and it appears unlikely Reykjavik will provide any additions.

Their opponents are the hosts along with Austria, Cyprus, Denmark, Iceland, Lithuania, Norway and the Small States.

Most of the middle-distance line-up has changed, with Róisín McGettigan now selected in the 3000 metres, Pauline Curley in the 5,000 metres and Fionnuala Britton in the 3,000 metres steeplechase.

Catherina McKiernan has targeted the Gateshead Grand Prix meeting on Sunday week as her only chance to get the qualifying time for the 10,000 metres.

No matter what happens there, she will be out a week later for the Irish Runner five-mile challenge in Phoenix Park.