History-making Longford athlete Cian McPhillips' profile in the 800m race at the World Championships
Cian McPhillips Makes History as First Irish Athlete to Reach World Championships 800m Final
Cian McPhillips, the 20-year-old Irish middle-distance runner, has made history by becoming the first Irish athlete to reach the final of the World Championships 800m. This remarkable achievement came after McPhillips clinched the first Irish heat win at the World Championships in a time of 1:43.18, before securing his place in the final with a victorious semi-final run.
McPhillips's journey to the top began in 2020, when he won the Junior Mile at the Millrose Games in New York, showcasing his tactical race acumen early on. In 2021, he smashed the Irish under-20 record for 1,500m, running 3:40.56, and broke the national under-18 record for 3,000m, running 8:18.91 at the age of 16.
The young athlete's progress has been significant, with his times improving rapidly over the past year. In July 2022, McPhillips improved his best to 1:44.19 in only his third outdoor race, winning the Morton Games in Santry. This time was an automatic qualifier for the World Championships in Tokyo.
McPhillips's time of 1:45.33 for 800m in Boston in 2022 would have broken the national senior indoor record had English not run 1:45.15 in New York six days previously. This run was the second fastest indoor time by an 18-year-old in world athletics history.
The athlete's success can be attributed to his coach, Joe Ryan, who has helped McPhillips improve his technique and mental strength, contributing significantly to his progress. McPhillips has also grown more powerful over the shorter distances due to two growth spurts.
Despite sustaining a stress fracture that required 11 weeks off from running at the European Indoor Championships in 2023, McPhillips has shown resilience and determination. He has lightened some of his workload at UCD, extending his final term into 2026, to focus on his athletic career.
McPhillips made his first senior international appearance at the 2021 European Indoor championships in Torun, Poland. His hard work and dedication have paid off, as he continues to break records and make history in the world of athletics.
As McPhillips prepares for the final at the World Championships, all eyes will be on the young Irish runner as he aims to bring home a medal and continue to make Ireland proud on the global stage.
