merrion street

The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Mr. Shane Ross, TD, and the Minister with responsibility for Sport, Mr. Brendan Griffin, TD, today congratulated World Champion Rob Heffernan on his sporting career as he retires from race walking.

Minister Ross said:

I would like to congratulate Rob on his remarkable sporting career following confirmation this morning of his retirement from race walking. Among the many highlights of Rob’s career was winning the World 50km Race Walk title in Moscow in 2013, an Olympic bronze over 50km at London 2012 and a bronze medal over 20km at the European Championships in Barcelona in 2010. Rob represented his county and his country with such pride over so many years and has been an inspiration to so many race walkers and athletes all over Ireland. I wish him well in the future and I have no doubt that he will make a huge success of whatever he does. 

Minister Griffin said:

I would like to acknowledge the immense contribution that Rob has made to Irish athletics for over 20 years. To compete at five Olympic Games was a fantastic achievement and the longevity of Rob’s career was a credit to his work ethic and dedication to his sport and also to the support of his wife Marian and family. Rob’s passion for his sport was there for all to see and I am sure Rob will continue to be an inspiration to all involved in Irish athletics for many years to come. I wish Rob, Marian and his family all the best on his retirement.