Tipperary athlete Burke brings home Bronze after terrific race at European Youth Olympics!

Templemore’s Joe Burke claimed a bronze medal in the 200 metres at the European Youth Olympic Festival in Skopje, North Macedonia, last week, clocking a personal best of 21.22 seconds in the final.

The 17-year-old showed strong form throughout the rounds. He progressed comfortably from his heat, stepped things up in the semi-final, and delivered a composed, powerful performance in the final to secure his place on the podium.

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It marks a second successive year Burke has medalled at European level, following his bronze at last year’s European U18 Championships.

Speaking after the race, he said: “Yeah, I don’t know what to say. It’s the same situation as last year. Blanket finish across the line. Waiting and waiting.

"And then just hearing your name for third is just surreal. It’s a feeling you can’t explain or describe to anyone. It means so much to you as a person that you just can’t express.”

He admitted that the wait to hear the final result was difficult.

“It was painful. You’re just there waiting, knowing you’re there with a chance and just waiting for it to come. But then, when it does come and the word is out it, you did get heard. It’s just a relief. All the hard work you’ve put in since back in September finally paid off.

“From what I remember of the race start was good. Maybe a small bit unsteady at the end of the bend, but I felt it came off and came down the straight very well.

"Adrenaline has a lot to do with that home straight. The legs, you don’t feel the legs tying up because it’s just such a drive and you’re so determined to go. Just go, go, go, go.

"Don’t ease up. Just stay pushing because the second you ease up, someone’s going to take your place.”

Burke ran from lane eight in the final, a lane that holds personal meaning.

“My grand aunt Marian passed last year, the week before I flew to the Europeans, and it just happened that her house number was eight. Last year in the European final, I had lane eight. So, there’s just something about the number eight that likes our family.”

The teenager is coached by Cillian Griffin and was keen to acknowledge the role of those closest to him.

“Look, half this medal is his (Cillian). It’s the same for my father, my mother, half the medal is theirs, because without them, without Cillian, my parents, none of this be possible. I owe it all to them.

"Cillian putting in the hours with me, doing up all my plans, my different blocks, my gym, and then dad driving around the country, mom giving me the food I wouldn’t be able to do without.”

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