James Mcilroy (athletics)

James McIlroy (born 30 December, 1976) is a British middle distance runner. He initially represented the Republic of Ireland before changing his nationality. When he was 21 years old he showed great promise by finishing fourth over 800 metres in the 1998 European Athletics Championship. But in the ten years that have followed he has never reached the same heights again. McIlroy has spent considerable time in South Africa training.

On 19 March 2008 McIlroy, who had been Northern Ireland's top middle-distance runner for more than a decade, announced his immediate retirement from athletics.

It was known the Larne man had given up his business to concentrate on his preparation for the Beijing Olympics and he cited financial worries as the reason for his surprise decision.

He had competed for Great Britain & N. Ireland earlier in the month at the World Indoor Athletics Championships in Valencia but failed to finish his opening round heat of the 1500 metres. Apart from the blip in Spain, McIlroy has had a very successful indoor campaign winning the Irish 800 metres and UK 1500 metres titles.

McIlroy, a member of the Abbey club in north Belfast as well as Windsor, Slough & Eton athlete had moved up to the latter distance after concentrating on 800 metres since bursting on the scene with a fourth place at the European Championships in 1998.

He is the fastest ever Irishman, north or south, at 800 metres with a 1 minute 44.65 seconds clocking from from Rieti, Italy in 2005. It is believed that McIlroy will, however, continue in the sport in a coaching role from his London base.

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