Coming fast out of lockdown, Ciara Mageean produced a brilliant Irish record in Bern on Friday, becoming the first Irish woman to break two minutes for the 800m.
Mageean took the win in 1:59.69, in doing so going where no Irish woman has gone before – breaking the existing record of 2:00.58 set seven years ago by Rose-Ann Galligan at the London Anniversary Games.
It was Mageean’s first race since the lockdown back in February, and some well-timed consolation for the postponed Tokyo Olympics, originally due to start on Friday evening.
She was the sole woman under two minutes – second place going to Heeda Hynne of Norway in 2:00.72.
It’s also a third Irish record for the 28-year-old Mageean, adding to her Irish indoor records over both the 1,500m and the mile.
