Controversy as Blind runner Sinead Kane not selected for Irish Ultra team

The World 24-Hour Championships are coming up in France at the end of October and there is some controversy about the selection of the Irish team.

Sinead Kane from Youghal has less than 5% vision and cannot run without a guide runner. Even though she has run the qualifying standard, it was deemed that she could could not take part as a competitive entrant as she had 'assistance'.

The International Association of Ultra Runners (IAU) says Athletics Ireland was informed in July that it had the option of selecting Kane effectively as a "non-scoring" individual.

This story has been covered by the BBC News website and the Echo website in recent days.

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Update Fri 25th Oct 2019: After taking legal action against the IAU, Sinead will now be representing Ireland at the World 24 hour championships in France this weekend.

Men’s Team - Aidan Hogan (Team Captain), Eddie Gallen, Padraig Mullins, Eoin Keith & Alex O'Shea

Women’s Team - Amy Masner, Yvonne Naughton, Sinéad Kane, Lorraine Mahon & Louise Smart

I WON my discrimination fight against IAU. I'm GOING. I'm flying out with Irish team in the morning. Thank you so much to @RichardDonovan7 and my legal team @KODLyons for getting this win against an international sporting body!! #disability #running #law pic.twitter.com/oCFEvXxxff

— Dr. Sinead Kane (@KaneSinead) October 23, 2019