Euro medallist Nick Griggs eyes step up over time and distance in 2025

Nick Griggs has set his sights on World Athletics Championship qualification at 5,000 metres in 2025 after ending another year of progression with silver at the Under-23 European Cross Country Championships in Turkey on Sunday.

The 19-year-old from Tyrone set national U-20 records at 1500, 3000 and 5000 metres this year and despite competing in the 1500m at the European Athletics Championships in June, expects to target the longer distance for next year's Worlds in Tokyo.

"To get back on the podium and see the Irish flag raised - even though it's not at the top, obviously, as I would like - it's a pretty special feeling," Griggs told RTÉ Sport's Darren Frehill of his latest success.

"I'm proud of what I managed to do yesterday and managed to put together a good race.

"In terms of 2025, I think obviously making world seniors is the biggest aim. It's the biggest championships of the year next year, with no Olympics.

"The 5,000, hopefully once I can do that, who knows what happens once you can get there, you go on, you give it your all and see what happens.

"And then I have the European Under-23 Championships [in July]. Hopefully, in the 5,000 meters, if I can make it there fit and healthy, I can maybe redeem for yesterday and hopefully get the win.

"So I think it's very exciting. And hopefully we'll see improvements in time over the next year as well, over all distances. It's all about just improving year on year, getting quicker, getting better. And just keep wrapping up the medals.

"In terms of the major championships. I think I'm probably going to be a 5,000-metre runner in the future. I think that's probably where my best opportunity lies to win medals at senior level in the future."

Nick Griggs powers home with an incredible