The 72nd Cork City Sports was officially launched this week ahead of the prestigious World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze meeting, which takes place at the MTU Athletics Stadium on Wednesday, 8 July.
The launch was attended by Cllr Una McCarthy, deputising for the Mayor of the County of Cork, Deputy Lord Mayor Cllr Gary O’Brien, Capt Leah McEvoy and Comdt Lorraine Whelan of Collins Barracks, Hamish Adams of Athletics Ireland, media partners The Echo Live, Irish Examiner, Cork’s 96FM and C103, together with representatives from Special Olympics Ireland, Cork Athletics, sponsors and invited guests.
Addressing the gathering were Cllr Una McCarthy, Trevor Welch (96FM), Deputy Lord Mayor Cllr Gary O’Brien, Cork City Sports President Frank Whelley and Meet Director Mark Walk.
Meet Director Mark Walk revealed that athletes from more than 30 countries will travel to Cork for what promises to be another outstanding night of athletics. The programme will feature 14 international events, alongside a strong schedule of developmental and community races that continue Cork City Sports’ long tradition of promoting athletics at all levels.
Among the highlights will be a world-class Women’s Hammer competition featuring local star Nicola Tuthill against Canada’s Camryn Rogers, the reigning Olympic and World Champion and current world number one. Walk also highlighted the exceptional depth in the Women’s 800m, which has attracted such strong interest that two heats may be required, with leading Irish athletes Sophie O’Sullivan and Laura Nicholson among those expected to compete.
The Men’s Shot Put is expected to be one of the standout field events of the evening, with international competitors from Great Britain, the Czech Republic, Germany, Sweden, the USA and New Zealand joining Ireland’s Eric Favors and John Kelly. The Mile promises to be equally exciting, with Nick Griggs leading a field where every athlete is capable of breaking the four-minute barrier.
The meeting will also showcase many of Ireland’s finest athletes, including Israel Olatunde, Molly Scott, Niamh Allen, Fiona Everard, Aoife O’Sullivan and Cathal Doyle, competing against top-class international opposition.
Speaking at the launch, Walk noted that many athletes are returning to Cork for a second or even third time, underlining the growing reputation of Cork City Sports on the international athletics calendar.
With Olympic, World Championship and European-level performers set to compete at MTU Athletics Stadium, Cork City Sports 2026 promises another memorable evening of world-class athletics for competitors and spectators alike.
