Sonia O'Sullivan is calling for Irish funded athletes to be required to compete at the Irish National Athletics Championships.
The four-time Olympian responded to Ciara Magean's decision not to compete at this weekend's event earlier this week during the RTÉ Summer of sport launch in Donnybrook on Thursday.
"I didn’t know her reason for not running, but I think it’s disappointing for any athlete not to come to the national championships", O’Sullivan told RTÉ Sport.
"Athletes are always grateful and thankful for the support that they receive from the fans and the people that support them throughout the year, the funding that they get.
"I think it should be 100% a requirement to turn up to the national championships. I think every other country, their athletes turn up, so why not Ireland?"
The former world champion is hoping that this weekend's championships will feel the positive effect of the recent European Championship success as Ireland broke into the top 10 medal table for the first time in competition history.
"I’m looking forward to seeing big crowds out watching and supporting," O'Sullivan said.
"I think a lot of people are talking about athletics now, so it would be amazing to see a big crowd out there, and for people to really get behind the athletes and to give them a massive send-off just before they head out to Paris.
"It’s not long now before the team will be heading off and focusing in on those Olympic games."
O'Sullivan will be attending the National Championships this weekend as part of RTÉ's coverage of the event but to also support her daughter Sophie, who will be competing in the 1500m event.
The 22-year-old qualified for the upcoming Paris Olympic games last August as she achieved the automatic qualifying time at the World Championships in Budapest.
"It's very exciting for Sophie to be going to the Olympics," O'Sullivan added.
"I'm looking forward to watching her compete there, to line up for Ireland. I’ve seen her training recently and she is putting in a lot of work.
"She’ll be coming to compete at the national championships this weekend.
"It was a great race last year between herself and Sarah Healy, maybe that will happen this year,.
"I’m not sure if Sarah is doing the 800m or the 1500m but Sophie will be definitely out there and putting herself in the position of winning the national championships."
The University of Washington student athlete has experienced European success at the U18 and U23 Championships respectively, winning silver in the 800m, in 2018, and gold in the 1500m, in 2023.
"I suppose you always get a little bit nervous. But the nervousness is really that they are actually able to go out there and run well and put in a performance that shows the work that they have put in and that they can walk off the track happy.
"I suppose that’s the most important thing; is that any athlete walks off the track happy.
"But particularly watching Sophie, I want her to be able to do the best she can and make the best of any opportunity that comes her way."
Watch the 123.ie National Athletics Championships on Sunday from 12.45pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
