Making History: Ireland’s Women’s Team Pursuit Qualification for Paris 2024

In a historic moment for Irish cycling, Kelly Murphy, Alice Sharpe, Lara Gillespie, and Mia Griffin have secured the first-ever qualification for Ireland in the women’s team pursuit at the Olympics. The achievement comes after a two-year qualification process that saw the team travel the world to accumulate points at various events.

For Alice Sharpe, a dream that began as a six-year-old watching the 2000 Olympics in Sydney has now become a reality. The 29-year-old cyclist, with Northern Irish heritage, has been a part of the high-performance program at Cycling Ireland since 2018, joining the team pursuit squad.

The qualification process culminated in a superb silver medal and Irish record at the Nations Cup in Hong Kong, solidifying Ireland’s spot in the upcoming Olympics in Paris. Only ten countries will compete in the women’s team pursuit, and Ireland’s success is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team.

Despite the lack of a velodrome in Ireland, the team has persevered and excelled on the world stage. Sharpe acknowledges the challenges they have faced due to the absence of a velodrome but remains hopeful for the future with plans for a new facility at the National Sports Campus.

As the team prepares for the Olympics, Sharpe continues to compete on the roads, recently finishing fifth in a one-day classic. With the qualification secured, Ireland will also have a spot in the women’s Madison and Omnium events, further showcasing the talent and potential of Irish cycling on the world stage.