It is a testament to the work of Queen’s Sport that it is the highest number of competitors the University has produced in its history for any Olympics, with a further eight of its graduates also taking part.

Current Queen’s students Erin Creighton and Nathan Timoney will join the other best athletes in the world at this summer’s Olympics. Erin studies Aerospace Engineering and is part of Ireland's women's Track Cycling team. Business Management student Nathan is part of the Rowing Ireland team.

Rachel McCann, who just this month graduated with a degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences will also be in Paris to compete on the Irish 400 Metre Relay team.

Rachel was presented with the Individual Sports Achievement Award at Queen’s annual Blues Sporting Awards in June, and credits Queen’s Sport with helping her get to where she is today. Rachel said:

“Queen’s Sport has been really involved in ensuring that I can compete at a high level whilst completing my final year. It has been difficult and without their support, I simply wouldn't have been able to do it. For example, they moved my research project deadline two weeks so that I could compete at the World Indoor Championships, and then I also got to move my exams to a different date to let me compete at the World Relay Championships.

“Without that support and flexibility, I just wouldn't be where I am right now. I’m so pleased that the hard work and training has paid off and that I’m getting the opportunity to attend the Olympics. This is a dream come true and I’m so grateful to Queen’s for all of the support they have given me to allow me to fulfil my sporting aspirations.”

As well as the three current students the eight Queen’s graduates also competing in this summer’s Olympics are Phil Doyle, Rebecca Edwards and Ross Corrigan in Rowing, Sean Murray, Michael Robson, Peter Brown and Johnny McKee in Hockey, and Ashleigh Orchard in Rugby Sevens. 

This will be graduates Phil, Rebecca and Michael’s second time at the Olympics, with Phil and Rebecca competing in 2020 in Tokyo and Michael in 2016 in Rio.

Many of the Queen’s students and graduates heading to the Olympics have been supported by Queen’s Elite Athlete Programme, a scholarship that empowers committed and talented student athletes by giving them access to facilities, coaching, contribution towards fees, academic flexibility, and mentoring, helping them to reach their full sporting and academic potential.

Aidan O’Rourke, Performance Sport Manager at Queen’s, said:

“We are extremely proud to have eleven students and graduates from Queen’s competing in the Olympics this summer. Balancing a competitive sporting career with academic studies is no mean feat and requires the utmost dedication, motivation and perseverance.

“The world class sporting facilities available at Queen’s continue to allow us to attract the best student athletes, and our scholarship programmes provide the support that allows them to pursue their athletic career while also receiving an outstanding education. Our eleven Olympic athletes are testament to the sporting talent that exists here, and we are privileged to have played a part in their journey to the top.”

Erin Creighton

Erin Creighton is 20 and from Belfast. Erin is still a relative newcomer to track; only making her international debut in the World Junior Track Championships in 2021. She stepped into the Team Pursuit squad this year in the wake of Emily Kay’s retirement, and took the year out of university to train full-time. She rode in Nations Cup and in the qualifying round of the European Championships where she also competed in individual pursuit and competed in the European U23s in July. As a natural sprinter the high-octane elimination race is Erin’s favourite track discipline.

Rachel McCann

Rachel McCann is 22 and from Bangor. Rachel played hockey and learnt ballet when she was younger. She only joined an athletics club upon starting secondary school yet anchored the Irish women’s 4x400m team that came very close to a medal at the European Juniors (U20) in 2019. This year she has broken her 200m and 400m personal bests and ran the race of her life to take silver behind Sophie Becker at Nationals last month. She was also part of the women’s 4x400m squad who finished fifth at World Indoors in March.

Nathan Timoney

Nathan Timoney is 24 and from Enniskillen. He was part of the Senior Fermanagh Hurling team before turning his attention to rowing. He initially raced in a Four and won a bronze medal at World U23 Championships in 2022. He also competed in a four at last year’s Europeans before switching into the pair with Ross Corrigan (Queen’s graduate) for the second World Cup, where they made the final. Their partnership made a big breakthrough with bronze at the 2023 World Championships which was Ireland’s first ever heavyweight sweep medal.

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