Organized Olympic Games in Athletics (also known as Track and Field) has a History which dates back almost 900 years before the first Olympic Games in Athens, Greece in 700 BC, when the Tailteann Games were first held in Ireland around 1600 BC. [References: 2-3]

The Tailteann Games are an Ancient Sporting and Athletic Event hosted in what is today Teltown in Co. Meath, Ireland. The background to these games, which folklore scholars believe date back to 1600BC, approximately 900 years before the Olympic Games in Greece, are that they were a tribute to the Goddess Tailtiu, the wife of Eochaid mac Eirc, the last of the Fir Bolg High Kings. Tailtiu was foster mother to Lugh, a member of the Tuatha De Danann, an invading force in Ireland which defeated the Native Fir Bolg (as accounted in the “Book of Invasions”). After Eochaid mac Eirc’s death, and also Tailtiu’s death (possibly while clearing land for agriculture), Lugh instituted the Tailteann Games in her honour near the seat of the High Kings in Co. Meath. [References: 2-3]

The Games themselves ran for hundreds of years from the July fortnight up to August 1. events included Hurling, Long Jump, High Jump, Running, Spear Throwing, Boxing, Sword Fighting, Archery, Wrestling, Swimming, Chariot Racing, Strategy Games and crafts, storytelling, singing and dancing – all competitors attempting to be crowned best in Ireland. [References: 2-3]

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Athletics has a long and distinguished presence in Ireland, with numerous Summer Olympics Medal winners. It is also known as Track & Field. Other disciplines include Mountain Running