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Irish Examiner
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Ireland aiming to escape middleground in search for promotion
Relegation. Promotion. These are words typically used in athletics just once every two years, but that time has come around again. This weekend, an Irish team of 43 athletes will contest the second division of the European Athletics Team Championships in Maribor, Slovenia. They face 15 other mid-tier European nations like Belgium and Turkey, Denmark and Norway. The top three nations will earn promotion to division one, while the bottom three will be relegated. Ireland will likely finish somewhere in the middle. For a long time, this event has been a biennial reminder of just how big an imbalance exists in Irish athletics between track and field, the runners typically powering them towards promotion, the field eventers taking them towards relegation. The reasons for that are varied, from lower participation numbers to poor facilities to dire investment in coaching but either way, Ireland is just not strong enough across the board to earn a place in division one. At least not yet. The imbalance is starting to even out, though, and the likes of Nicola Tuthill in the hammer and Eric Favors in the shot put are both Olympians who should make decent points contributions in their respective events. But on the track, even without several star names, is where the Irish will make the greater impact. Olympians Sophie Becker and Cillín Greene are late withdrawals, but other high-profile athletes have made the trip such as Sarah Lavin, who will race the 100m hurdles and 4x100m relay, and Sharlene Mawdsley, who'll race the 400m and mixed 4x400m. Sophie O'Sullivan will race the 800m, having recently won the 1500m title at the NCAA Championships, and it will be intriguing to see how she fares stepping back down to the distance at which she won a European U-18 medal in 2018. Others returning from the NCAA include Elizabeth Ndudi, the reigning European U-20 long jump champion who dealt with her share of injuries over the past year, and Ava O'Connor, who last month won a Division 2 NCAA title in the 3000m steeplechase. Cork sprinter Lucy-May Sleeman, a student at Florida State University, will race the 100m and 4x100m. Ciara Neville will make a welcome return to international duty in the 4x100m over four years on from a severe hamstring injury that cost her a spot at the Tokyo Olympics. She recently clocked a promising 100m season's best of 11.53 in Geneva. The in-form Bori Akinola will don the green vest in the men's 100m and 4x100m, the UCD sprinter last weekend clocking a wind-assisted time of 10.10 (2.9m/s) in London, the fastest all-conditions time ever by an Irishman. Israel Olatunde, the Irish record holder who clocked a season's best of 10.23 in Geneva last weekend, will race the 4x100m. Paris Olympian Brian Fay will contest the 5000m for Ireland, while Cian McPhillips will be in action over 800m. Jack Raftery has been given the nod for the men's 400m after a hugely impressive PB of 45.75 in UCD last week. European Athletics Team Championships: Live, 1:25pm (Irish time),
Irish Independent
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Ireland gear up for European Athletics Team Championships in Slovenia
But others are first in line to rule themselves in, knowing there's nothing quite like in the sport, handing as it does equal billing to the star names and the club-level athletes who are thrust into international duty. Having earned promotion to division two in 2023, the Irish find themselves in Maribor, Slovenia this weekend, facing 15 other mid-tier European nations such as Belgium, Turkey, Denmark and Norway. The top three teams in the two-day competition will earn promotion to division one, while the bottom three will be relegated. Ireland will likely finish somewhere in between. The event has long been a biennial reminder of just how big an imbalance exists in Irish athletics between track and field, the runners typically powering them towards promotion, the field eventers taking them towards relegation. The reasons for that are varied, from lower participation numbers in field events to poor facilities to dire investment in coaching. Despite the rising tide, Ireland is just not strong enough across the board to earn a place in division one. At least not yet. The imbalance is starting to even out, however, and Nicola Tuthill in the hammer and Eric Favors in the shot put likely to make decent points contributions. On the track, even without some star names, the Irish should make the greatest impact. Sarah Lavin will race the 100m hurdles and 4x100m relay, while Sharlene Mawdsley will race the 400m and mixed 4x400m. Sophie O'Sullivan will race the 800m, having recently won the 1500m title at the NCAA Championships. Others returning from the NCAA include Elizabeth Ndudi, the reigning European U-20 long jump champion, and Ava O'Connor, who last month won a Division 2 NCAA title in the 3000m steeplechase. Cork sprinter Lucy-May Sleeman, a student at Florida State University, will race the 100m and 4x100m. Ciara Neville will make a welcome return to international duty in the 4x100m over four years on from a severe hamstring injury that cost her a spot at the Tokyo Olympics. The in-form Bori Akinola will race the men's 100m and 4x100m, the UCD sprinter last weekend clocking a wind-assisted time of 10.10 (2.9m/s) in London, the fastest all-conditions time ever by an Irishman. Irish record holder Israel Olatunde will be part of the 4x100m. Paris Olympian Brian Fay will contest the 5000m while Cian McPhillips will be in action over 800m. Jack Raftery has been given the nod for the men's 400m after a hugely impressive PB of 45.75 last week.
Herald Malaysia
3 days ago
- General
- Herald Malaysia
Meet the future of the Church: Seminarians gather in Rome for jubilee
More than 2,500 seminarians from 57 countries converged on Rome this week to pray at the tomb of St. Peter, receive a blessing from Pope Leo XIV, and celebrate their vocations in the Jubilee of Seminarians. Jun 25, 2025 Seminarian Thomas Hammen smiles in view of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome on Tuesday. June 24, 2025. | Credit: Courtney Mares/CNA By Courtney Mares More than 2,500 seminarians from 57 countries converged on Rome this week to pray at the tomb of St. Peter, receive a blessing from Pope Leo XIV, and celebrate their vocations in the Jubilee of Seminarians. 'Thank you for courageously accepting the Lord's invitation to follow him, to be disciples, to enter the seminary. You have to be courageous and not be afraid,' Pope Leo XIV told the young men gathered in St. Peter's Basilica on June 24. 'As Christ loved with the heart of man, you are called to love with the heart of Christ!' the pope said in his catechesis to the seminarians, urging them to 'love with the heart of Jesus.' Over two days, the jubilee pilgrims prayed the rosary together at the tomb of St. Paul, passed through the Holy Doors of the basilicas in Rome, and knelt before the Eucharist in adoration. Among them were seminarians from Albania to Argentina, India to Italy, and the United States to Ukraine — each carrying his own story of how God called him to the priesthood. Here are nine seminarians who shared how they heard the call to the priesthood: Thomas Hammen, 28, Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, Florida 'I think a key message is that we're made to give ourselves away in love, while the culture says to only live for yourself… In my college years specifically, I experienced having everything the world told me that would make me happy and like Pope Leo has been saying over and over again, quoting St. Augustine, 'my heart was restless.' 'Thankfully at Florida State University, I had an awesome friend who invited me on a retreat, and it was on that retreat where there was Eucharistic adoration that I heard the truth that my heart is made for God and when I live for him I come fully alive and I'm able to step into the mission that he has for me. 'I'd say my vocation is a result of God showing me mercy … and from knowing that I'm loved, that comes a great conviction that I'm chosen for something great and that's really the source of my entire vocation to be a priest.' Hammen hopes to be ordained in 2030. Joseph Mlawa, Archdiocese of Agrigento, Italy 'I'm from Tanzania and now I'm a seminarian in Sicily.' 'Since I was little, I wanted to become a priest. However, it was a bit difficult because my parents died in 2006. But in 2015, there were missionaries who came to my parish and they helped me to come here to Italy to fulfill the calling of my vocation … They helped to pay my tuition for the nine years.' Thomas Stanczak, 35, Archdiocese of Milwaukee A recent convert from Protestantism, Stanczak said he 'read' his way into the Church. 'I think, as St. John Henry Newman says, 'to be deep in history is to cease to be Protestant,'' he said. 'I really felt a very strong call from the Lord during Mass … and when the Lord says for you to do something, it's hard to say no.' In Rome, he has had a 'wonderful experience' going to the churches from 'the different ancient martyrs and saints that we pray in the Roman canon, seeing Cosmos and Damien's church, John and Paul, Agnes and Lucy.' 'All these different wonderful saints have really helped me connect in a special way to the universal Church.'? He hopes to be ordained in 2030. Pietro, 24, Diocese of Locri-Gerace, Calabria, Italy 'I have to say that like St. Peter, I gave the Lord a lot of resistance. Finally, he somehow 'pulled me by the ears,' as we say… Slowly, with his strength, [the Lord] showed me day by day what is the meaning of my vocation, not only my vocation to the priesthood, but also to follow him with all my heart, as far as he will lead me, even to the point of giving my life.' 'There are so many challenges, as there always have been, and so I think if the Church continues to trust and rely on the Holy Spirit, then she will overcome them all.' Carlos Bárcenas, 26, Archdiocese of Panama 'The restlessness was already within me from my mother's womb,' Bárcenas joked. While studying mechanical engineering, he 'realized that [God] was asking me for something more. 'I want to be above all credible, acceptable, and consistent with Christian life,' he said. Pepe Zinkewich, 26, Archdiocese of Los Angeles 'I'm No. 9 of 10 kids. I grew up in a very heavily Catholic family … but I didn't really feel called to the priesthood until I went away for college. It was there that I got in contact with a very holy priest who loved the Eucharist and would die for it. And that really inspired me to follow Christ and devote myself to his Church.' 'Through prayer and spiritual direction, I found my vocation to the diocesan seminary, and I've loved every minute of it. Ever since I entered, I thought the priesthood was going to be quiet and simple, but it has turned out to be the adventure of a lifetime!' Zinkewich hopes to be ordained in 2029. José Ylef Felicidad, 22, Diocese of Arecibo, Puerto Rico 'I felt the call when I was 20 years old. It was through a priest friend of mine. Literally, the Lord was transfigured in him and he told me a phrase that moved me: 'He needs you.' His face changed to that of Jesus, but without ceasing to be him. It was extraordinary.' Felicidad's greatest aspiration is to leave behind 'everything for the Lord and for the holy people of God.' Randy Marfo, 25, from Ghana Marfo discovered his vocation at a young age when he was serving as an altar boy. This experience motivated him to follow a vocation to the priesthood. 'The biggest problem that my country is facing is that the population of Catholics is decreasing in these days because some of the priests are not doing what is expected of them, so Church members are leaving to other denominations, like Pentecostals or the Baptists.' He hopes to be ordained in 2030. William Iván Sánchez Velázquez, Diocese of Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 'I have been in the seminary for seven years now,' he said. 'I met with the bishop and, as soon as I finished school, I went straight to the seminary.' His hope is to become a priest who resembles 'the Good Shepherd' and to be 'dedicated to serving my sheep.' 'The Lord himself said: 'Pray to the Lord of the harvest.' The Lord provides. I firmly believe that the Lord answers the people who kneel to pray. We should not stop praying for vocations. That's the only thing to do: pray, pray, pray.' The Rome Experience The American seminarians taking part in the jubilee are in Italy this summer for the 'Rome Experience,' a six-week program to study, pray, and walk in the footsteps of the saints. These seminarians are taking classes on Church history and Christian art and architecture while also making pilgrimages to churches and holy sites throughout Rome. 'While I've been here, it's been so amazing to encounter the saints — to visit where they are buried, to hear their stories,' Hammen said. 'My hope is to return to the United States and share what I've experienced here.' The Jubilee of Seminarians is just one of many spiritual celebrations taking place in Rome during the holy year. Beginning Wednesday, the Vatican will also host a Jubilee of Bishops and a Jubilee of Priests.--CNA
NBC Sports
4 days ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Navy All-American Devin Carter Commits to Florida State
Florida State University has successfully landed one of the top players in the country. Navy All-American Devin Carter from Douglas County High School in Georgia has committed to the Seminoles. According to 247Sports, Carter is the No. 135 overall player in the country and a four-star prospect. Spatula SZN ❗️❗️❗️ Navy All-American Devin Carter (@IDEVINCARTER) has committed to Florida State University #GoNoles 🍢#NavyAAB 🇺🇸 @AmericasNavy Only 100 football players receive the honor of wearing the Navy All-American Bowl jersey each year. The 2026 Navy All-American Bowl from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, will be presented live on NBC and Peacock. About the All-American Bowl As an NBC Sports-owned property, the All-American Bowl is part of a marquee lineup of elite events that includes the Olympics and Paralympics, the Premier League, and primetime's #1 show for an unprecedented 13 consecutive years: Sunday Night Football. The All-American Bowl is annually the most-watched, most-talked about, and most-prestigious high school all-star event with more than four million unique television viewers and more than 25,000 fans in attendance. The history and tradition of the All-American Bowl is unparalleled, as it features: 631 draft picks; 103 Super Bowl champions; 274 Pro Bowl selections; and 18 Heisman finalists. For more information, visit or follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram (@AABonNBC).
The South African
21-06-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Adriaan Wildschutt plots his record-breaking path
Adriaan Wildschutt returned to Paris on Friday night for the first time since his debut Olympic Games last year with the intention of using the Diamond League experience as another step towards his goal of medalling at the World Championships in September. However, the 27-year-old Olympian had contemplated withdrawing from the race after waking up 'very sick' on Friday morning and didn't threaten his personal best in the 5 000m (12:55.02) which he set in March. He finished 14th in 13:28.67 in Paris, in a race won by Ethiopian Yomif Kejelcha (12:47.84) and contained an array of season bests, personal bests and national records. 'I didn't want to give up before I even tried. It turns out, not the best decision on my end. But we learn and move on. Trust me when I say, we will be back way better and stronger,' he wrote on his social media. That debut Olympic campaign last August saw Adriaan Wildschutt feature in the fastest 10 000m in Olympic history. Thirteen of the finalists broke the previous Olympic record including Wildschutt who finished 10th in 26:50.64. Breaking records has become habit to the Florida State University MBA graduate. Since the beginning of 2023, he has lowered the national record in the 3 000m, 5 000m, and 10 000m a total of seven times combined. There is no sign of him relenting as he chases new personal bests in each event. Those PBs now happen to be NRs. 'It is always a nice feeling to win a race, but my focus is the time. My goal is to break South African records and continue to raise the bar. Each race has its own field and its own conditions so focusing on my time helps to keep me on track towards my goals without being hung up on one event going well or not. If I continue with my plan, I will keep seeing improvement which I hope will take me to where I want to be.' After the 10 000m Olympic final in Paris, Wildschutt told his Instagram followers that he went into the final with the idea to compete against the best in the world. His performance however, showed that he too belongs in that category. He is now preparing for the World Championships in Tokyo with that belief. 'I have felt a mental shift since then. I can feel it in the way I prepare and train for events. I am no longer trying to just compete. I am now one of those guys looking to win medals. All my training this year is for Tokyo. I will be up against the best yet again, so I know it will not be easy, but I believe I can achieve a medal.' The World Championships is not the final stage in Adriaan Wildschutt's history-seeking career. His focus will begin to shift towards more road races with the first being a half marathon (21km) in October. 'I have a half marathon planned for Valencia after the Worlds. I want to compete in at least one half marathon every year. The 2028 Olympics will be my last as a track runner because I want to transition to the road races for 2032.' South Africa's long-distance specialist loves the busy schedule he has created. He is dedicated to his training and competing and is constantly in pursuit of personal improvement. Off the track, he is based in Arizona, USA, and is currently working on his autobiography. He is also maintaining his Airbnb located in Stellenbosch and has recently begun a business with three partners in America. The busy lifestyle helps him keep a healthy balance between his running and his future that follows. That future is still distant. Now, the World Championships take centre stage, followed by a blend of track and road events, as well as the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. His work ethic, mindset and talent should see him continue his record-breaking habit during this time. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
