UCD Student to Represent Ireland in Modern Pentathlon at London 2012 Olympics

Arthur Lanigan-O’Keeffe, a 20-year old UCD Sports and Exercise Management student, is to represent Ireland in the modern pentathlon at the London 2012 Olympics.

Arthur, a UCD Ad Astra Elite Sports Scholar, takes his place at London 2012 alongside Ireland’s Natalya Coyle following the withdrawal of the Polish competitor Lukaz Klekot who tested positive for the banned substance Methylhexaneamine at the national championships in Poland.

 
Arthur Lanigan-O'Keeffe

“Arthur has done exceptionally well and just failed to gain his Olympic berth directly” but “with the withdrawal of the Polish competitor, Arthur's Olympic dream has come true." said Lindsey Weedon, Ireland's modern pentathlon manager, speaking to RTÉ Sport.

Arthur has successfully competed for UCD in equestrian and fencing at University championships.

The UCD Ad Astra Elite Sports Academy, part of the UCD Ad Astra Academy, is specifically for students who wish to compete and succeed at the highest sporting levels while simultaneously attaining a degree in UCD. The programme supports high calibre athletes striving for sporting and academic success to allow them to reach their maximum potential inside and outside the classroom.

Meanwhile, 22-year old, Annalise Murphy, will also represent Ireland in sailing (Laser Radials, the Olympic women’s single-handed dinghy) at the London 2012 Olympics. Currently ranked 11th in the world, Annalise is on a study break from studying science at UCD to pursue her career in sailing.She qualified for the London 2012 Olympics after finishing 6th at the World Sailing Championships in Perth in November 2011.

 
Annalise Murphy

Annalise is a member of the National Yacht Club in Dún Laoghaire and the UCD Sailing Club. Her mother Cathy represented Ireland at the Seoul Olympics in 1988, and her father Con holds the Round Ireland speed record.

ENDS

25 July 2012

For further information contact Micéal Whelan, University College Dublin, Communications Manager (Innovation), e: miceal.whelan@ucd.ie or t: + 353 1 716 3712.