Ballymena athlete Adam Courtney
Ballymena athlete Adam Courtney is packing for Peru after being selected by Athletics Ireland to compete in the Lima 2024 World Athletics U20 Championships, taking place from 27 to 31 August 2024.
Adam, a member of Ballymena & Antrim Athletics Club, will represent Ireland in the Men’s 4 x 400m event and the young local lad has been in training, prepared and ready to go. Currently ranked at 5th in the UK rankings for 400m hurdles and 7th for 400m, the former student of Dunclug College made it his personal goal to achieve selection for the World Championships this year, and he has not been disappointed.
It is the latest achievement for Adam who has just finished his first year at Ulster University where he is studying sport. He has also been recognised as a sports ambassador by Mid and East Antrim
Borough Council and has been nominated a number of times for Junior Sportsperson of the Year.
While his selection for Lima is an impressive feat, the event will be Adam’s 4th vest for Ireland. The sporting star has already copped two Ulster vest, and later this week will don his first vest for Northern Ireland when he represents the province at the the U20 International Championships to be held in Eton, London on Saturday, August 17.
Talking to Love Ballymena ahead of his duo of events in London and Lima, Adam said:
“I was so disappointed last year to not be selected for the European U20 Championships for Ireland. I knew I had to put 110% into everything this year especially being my last year in U20.
“I received the email informing me of my selection when I was in work - I was both shocked and excited! It finally felt like a weight off my shoulders, and I was relieved knowing that all of my hard work paid off after years of training.”
At 19-years-old the dedicated athlete currently trains up to six times a week, including track sessions at Mary Peters Track in Belfast, alongside gym sessions at Lifestyle Fitness in Ballymena.
Adam’s parents Ali and Kelly, along with older brother Joshua have experienced great relief following his fantastic achievement of being selected. They know too well the long hours, passion and pain and training that have brought the young man to this point.
“We as a family are so proud of Adam. Every race he runs, we are there supporting him in some shape, form or fashion,” said beaming mum Kelly.
“His dad videos every race, or we're there screaming support from the sidelines of numerous tracks, or shouting like lunatics at the TV if the event is being live streamed!
“As our son, we are fully committed to him and his dream and goals in sport. We travel hundreds of miles for a 50 second race - I think we’ve been in every hotel and AirBnB in Tullamore, County Offaly!
Kelly continued:
“Every success or disappointment - we're there, no matter what age he is. Every sacrifice has now been worth it and we are so immensely proud of him, so over the moon for him. He totally deserves this as his effort and sacrifice this year has been massive.
“Thank you to both of his coaches, his club for all the support, and also to his sponsors.”
Adam also wished to place on record his gratitude for all the support he has received. He added:
“I would not have been able to get selected for the World U20 Championships without my amazing support network including my club - Ballymena and Antrim AC. My coaches Ian Neely and Dougie Thom are fantastic - they plan and lead my sessions and push me to reach my best.
“Funding and gym facilities provided by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, and Lifestyle Fitness have enabled me to train at the highest level.
“A very special thank you to my parents who take time out of their day and travel many hours and miles to get to the races.”
Good luck Adam!