Joanne Cuddihy

At the 2001 IAAF/Westel World Youth Championships, Cuddihy qualified for the final of the 400 metres by finishing second in her heat with a time of 54.16, a season's best.{{cite web |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/show-of-strength-by-carroll-338790.html |title=Show of strength by Carroll |date=14 July 2001 |last=O'Riordan |first=Ian |accessdate=14 December 2011 |work=Irish Independent}} On 14 July, Cuddihy finished fifth in the final at the World Youth Championships. The following year at the IAAF/Coca-Cola World Junior Championships in Kingston, Jamaica, Cuddihy finished sixth in the final.{{cite web |url=http://www.iaaf.org/athletes/biographies/letter=0/athcode=179830/index.html |title=Cuddihy Joanne |accessdate=14 December 2011 |publisher=International Association of Athletics Federations}} On 12 June 2003, at a European GP meeting in Riga, Latvia, Cuddihy broke the junior Irish national record in the 400 metres with a time of 53.21 seconds.{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/athletics/2003/0613/athletics.html |title=Cuddihy breaks Irish 400m record |date=13 June 2003 |last=Wright |first=Rob |accessdate=14 December 2011 |publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann }}{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} At the NCAA Championships in Sacramento, California in mid-June 2003, Cuddihy came second with a time of 53.85 seconds.{{cite web |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/cragg-top-of-the-5000m-class-217374.html |title=Cragg top of the 5000m class |date=16 June 2003 |accessdate=14 December 2011 |work=Irish Independent}} The following month, she won a silver medal at the 2003 European Athletics Junior Championships in the 400 metres.

Following her silver medal at the European Athletics Junior Championships in 2003, Cuddihy moved into senior competition. At the 2003 World Championships in Athletics held in Paris, France, Cuddihy qualified for the final of the 400 metres with a time of 53.68 seconds.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/world_athletics_2003/3177881.stm |title=Turnbull misses out on final |date=25 August 2003 |accessdate=14 December 2011 |publisher=BBC}} She participated in the 2004 Irish National Indoor Championships in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where she won the 400 metres in a new all-comers record of 53.50 seconds over Moushaumi Robinson.{{cite web |url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/printer,newsid=24091.htmx |title=Brizzel bristles with confidence after beating Campbell |date=15 February 2004 |accessdate=14 December 2011 |publisher=International Association of Athletics Federations}} As a result of her win, she was automatically selected to be part of the Irish team for the 2004 IAAF World Indoor Championships held the following month.{{cite web |url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/2004/0217/iresquad.html |title=Preliminary team for World Indoors announced |date=17 February 2004 |accessdate=14 December 2011 |publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann}} At the championships, Cuddihy finished sixth in her heat of the 400 metres, failing to progress further.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/3535517.stm |title=Brizzel pulls out of semis |date=6 March 2004 |accessdate=14 December 2011 |publisher=BBC}} She was also part of the 4 x 400 metres relay time with Michelle Carey, Karen Shinkins, and Ciara Sheehy.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/3489656.stm |title=O'Dwyer makes breakthrough |date=26 February 2004 |accessdate=14 December 2011 |publisher=BBC}} In July 2004, Cuddihy came second in the Irish National Championships behind Shinkins.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/3924725.stm |title=Double blow for O'Sullivan |date=25 July 2004 |accessdate=14 December 2011 |publisher=BBC}} In July 2005, Cuddihy finished second at the Irish National Championships behind Shinkins.{{cite web |url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/2005/0724/athletics1.html |title=Byrne stumbles to 1500 metres title |date=24 July 2005 |accessdate=14 December 2011 |publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann}} At the 2005 World University Games, Cuddihy made it to the semi-finals of the 400 metres, but failed to progress further after finishing fifth.{{cite web |url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/2005/0816/athletics.html |title=Boyle and McSweeney through to 100m final |date=16 August 2005 |accessdate=14 December 2011 |publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann}}

In the eighteen months prior to July 2006, Cuddihy suffered from glandular fever and underwent operations on the cartilage on both knees. At the 2006 National Track and Field Championships, Cuddihy set a personal best time of 23.33 seconds to win the 200 metres title, and set a championship record of 51.28 to win the 400 metres. Her championship record was the fastest time run by an Irishwoman in Ireland.{{cite web |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/athletics-rising-star-cuddihy-doubles-up-in-style-at-nationals-89295.html |title=Athletics: Rising star Cuddihy doubles up in style at Nationals |date=24 July 2006 |accessdate=14 December 2011 |work=Irish Independent}} The following month, at the 2006 European Athletics Championships in Gothenburg, Cuddihy qualified for the semi-finals of the 400 metres by running a time of 51.41 seconds to finish second in her heat.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/5255604.stm |title=Boyle out of women's 100 metres |date=8 August 2006 |accessdate=14 December 2011 |publisher=BBC}} She then qualified for the final by finishing third in her semi-final, and setting a personal best time of 51.09 seconds.{{cite web |url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/2006/0809/ireland.html |title=Reale & Cuddihy impress at European Championships |date=9 August 2006 |accessdate=14 December 2011 |publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann}} She finished eight in the final with a time of 51.46 seconds.{{cite web |url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/2006/0810/athletics.html |title=Cuddihy trails in last in Gothenburg |date=10 August 2006 |accessdate=14 December 2011 |publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann}} Cuddihy was also a member of the Irish 4 x 100 metres relay team at the European Championships, alongside Derval O'Rourke, Ailis McSweeney, and Anna Boyle. The quartet failed to make the final, but set a new Irish record for the event of 44.38 seconds.{{cite web |url=http://www.sportinglife.com/others/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=others/06/08/12/ATHLETICS_European_Irish.html |title=O'Rourke Helps Produce Another Record |date=12 August 2006 |last=Martin |first=David |accessdate=14 December 2011 |publisher=Sporting Life }}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/4787057.stm |title=Ireland progress to 4x400m final |date=12 August 2006 |accessdate=14 December 2011 |publisher=BBC}}

In 2007, Cuddihy decided to take a break from her medical studies and focus exclusively on her athletics for a full year. In April 2007 Cuddihy moved to Los Angeles in the United States for specialised coaching with Dan Pfaff.{{cite web |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/joanne-cuddihy-case-study-121753.html |title=Joanne Cuddihy: Case Study |date=4 February 2007 |last=Ryan |first=Seán |accessdate=14 December 2011 |work=Irish Independent}} On 9 June, Cuddihy won a 200 metres race in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada with a time of 23.80 seconds.{{cite web|url=http://www.athleticsireland.ie/content/?p=1694 |title=New Irish Record |date=9 June 2007 |accessdate=14 December 2011 |publisher=Athletics Ireland |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120531205825/http://www.athleticsireland.ie/content/?p=1694 |archivedate=31 May 2012 }} In June, Cuddihy appeared at European Cup First League 'A' match, where she was part of the Irish 4 x 100 metres relay quartet that finished third.{{cite web |url=http://www.sportinglife.com/others/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=others/07/06/23/ATHLETICS_Vaasa_Nightlead.html |title=Sayers Thrilled By GB Efforts |date=23 June 2007 |last=Martin |first=Adam |accessdate=14 December 2011 |publisher=Sporting Life }}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} At the 2007 British Grand Prix in July, Cuddihy came third in the 400 metres behind Nicola Sanders and Monique Henaghan.{{cite web |url=http://www.sportinglife.com/others/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=others/07/07/16/ATHLETICS_Sheffield_Devonish.html |title=Devonish Eyes Osaka Double |date=16 July 2007 |last=Martin |first=David |accessdate=14 December 2011 |publisher=Sporting Life }}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} That same month she won both the 200 and 400 metres events at the Irish National Senior Track and Field Championships, making it the second successive year she had won both.{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/athletics/2007/0722/athletics1.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120911094214/http://www.rte.ie/sport/athletics/2007/0722/athletics1.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 September 2012 |title=Campbell secures historic double |date=22 July 2007 |accessdate=14 December 2011 |publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann }} Cuddihy competed at the 2007 World Championships in Athletics in Osaka, Japan that August. She ran a season's best in the heats to qualify for the semi-finals with a third-place finish.{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/athletics/2007/0826/athletics1.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120919113808/http://www.rte.ie/sport/athletics/2007/0826/athletics1.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 September 2012 |title=Cuddihy breezes into 400 metres semi-finals |date=26 August 2007 |accessdate=14 December 2011 |publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann }} In the semi-finals she recorded a personal best time of 50.73 seconds, setting a new Irish national record and making her the first Irish woman to have run under 51 seconds at 400 metres. Despite this, she did not qualify for the final.{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/athletics/2007/0827/athletics1.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130217204709/http://www.rte.ie/sport/athletics/2007/0827/athletics1.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 February 2013 |title=Cuddihy breaks record but misses final |date=27 August 2007 |accessdate=14 December 2011 |publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann }} Her new Irish record also qualified her to compete in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. In early and mid-2008 she suffered from knee problems, however, jeopardising her ability to compete at the Olympics.{{cite web |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/olympics-2008/irish-news/cuddihys-olympic-hopes-high-despite-setback-1435083.html |title=Cuddihy's Olympic hopes high despite setback |date=18 July 2008 |last=Foley |first=Cliona |accessdate=14 December 2011 |work=Irish Independent}} Despite the injury, she competed in the heats of the 400 metres but was unable to qualify for the semi-finals.{{cite web |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/other/2008/0816/1218836144105.html |title=No joy for Heffernan and Cuddihy |date=16 August 2008 |accessdate=14 December 2011 |work=The Irish Times}} She stated that competing in the Olympics "would have been a dream come true if [she] wasn't injured".{{cite web |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/olympics-2008/irish-news/let-the-games-begin-olympic-hopefuls-depart-for-beijing-1445308.html |title=Let the Games begin: Olympic hopefuls depart for Beijing |date=2 August 2008 |last=McDonagh |first=Patricia |accessdate=14 December 2011 |work=Irish Independent}}

In early July 2009, she participated in the 200 metres at the World University Games, successfully reaching the semi-finals.{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/athletics/2009/0709/cuddihyj.html |title=Cuddihy into Belgrade semi-final |date=9 July 2009 |accessdate=14 December 2011 |publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090712144252/http://www.rte.ie/sport/athletics/2009/0709/cuddihyj.html |archivedate=12 July 2009 }} She finished her semi-final with a time of 24.53 seconds, leaving her in fifth place, which meant she did not reach the final.{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/other/2009/0710/worlduniversitygames.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120915050237/http://www.rte.ie/sport/other/2009/0710/worlduniversitygames.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 September 2012 |title=Murphy Breaks Record on Way To Final |date=10 July 2009 |accessdate=14 December 2011 |publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann }} Cuddihy did not participate in the 2009 World Championships in Athletics, as she had taken time out to focus on her academic studies.{{cite web |url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/breaking-news/sport/14strong-irish-squad-announced-for-berlin-14442890.html |title=14-strong Irish squad announced for Berlin |date=4 August 2009 |accessdate=14 December 2011 |work=Belfast Telegraph}} Following a hiatus, Cuddihy returned to athletics at the Melbourne Track Classic in March 2010, where she placed third in the 400 metres with a time of 52.95 seconds.{{cite web|url=http://www.athleticsireland.ie/content/?p=12199 |title=Promising performance by Joanne Cuddihy |date=5 March 2010 |accessdate=14 December 2011 |publisher=Athletics Ireland |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120531205902/http://www.athleticsireland.ie/content/?p=12199 |archivedate=31 May 2012 }} In early July 2010, Cuddihy won the Irish National Championships in the 400 metres with a time of 52.76 seconds.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/8807959.stm |title=Rose-Anne Galligan edges out Ciara Mageean at Santry |date=11 July 2011 |accessdate=14 December 2011 |publisher=BBC}} At the 2010 European Athletics Championships in Barcelona, Spain, Cuddihy made the semi-finals, but was unable to make the final after finishing fourth in her semi-final and missing a fastest loser position.{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/athletics/2010/0728/loughnaneo.html |title=Gillick impresses on his way to final |date=28 July 2010 |accessdate=14 December 2011 |publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101031133430/http://www.rte.ie/sport/athletics/2010/0728/loughnaneo.html |archivedate=31 October 2010 }} She was also a member of the Irish 4 x 400 metres relay team alongside Marian Andrews, Brona Furlong, and Michelle Carey which failed to progress from the heats after finishing sixth.{{cite web |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/other/2010/0731/1224275930293.html |title=Irish relay teams fail to advance |date=31 July 2010 |accessdate=14 December 2011 |work=The Irish Times}}

In 2011, Cuddihy moved to Australia for full-time training. At the European Team Championships in mid-June Cuddihy was part of the Irish team that finished tenth overall, retaining their position in the 1st League.{{cite web |url=http://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/ireland-maintain-place-in-1st-league-509587.html |title=Ireland maintain place in 1st League |date=19 June 2011 |accessdate=14 December 2011 |publisher=BreakingNews.ie}} On 25 June, Cuddihy won the 400 metres race during a meet in Nivelles, Belgium, with a time of 53.28 seconds.{{cite web|url=http://www.athleticsireland.ie/content/?p=19903 |title=Doubles for Proper and Russell in Belgium |date=26 June 2011 |accessdate=14 December 2011 |publisher=Athletics Ireland |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110919081614/http://www.athleticsireland.ie/content/?p=19903 |archivedate=19 September 2011 }} In early August, Cuddihy once again won the 400 metres at the Irish national championships, finishing with a time of 52.15 metres.{{cite web|url=http://www.athleticsireland.ie/content/?p=20680 |title=Mageean Bounces Back to Win 1500m after 800m Silver |date=7 August 2011 |accessdate=14 December 2011 |publisher=Athletics Ireland |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110919092644/http://www.athleticsireland.ie/content/?p=20680 |archivedate=19 September 2011 }} Cuddihy competed at the 2011 World Championships in Daegu, South Korea in the 400 metres after securing the B-standard qualifying time.{{cite web |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2011/0809/1224302092455.html |title=Ireland add dash of youthful talent to experience for Daegu |date=9 August 2011 |last=O'Riordan |first=Ian |accessdate=14 December 2011 |work=The Irish Times}} She came third in her heat, qualifying for the semi-finals with a time of 51.82 seconds. During the semi-finals however, Cuddihy was disqualified after a false start.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/statistics/default.stm#sunday_28_august_2011 |title=Sunday, 28 August 2011; IAAF World Championships in Athletics, Daegu |accessdate=14 December 2011 |publisher=BBC |quote=DQ Joanne Cuddihy (Irl)}} She returned to compete in the 4 x 400 metres relay. She, along with Marian Andrews-Heffernan, Claire Bergin, and Michelle Carey set a new Irish record of 3:27.48, but failed to qualify for the final after finishing fourth in their heat.{{cite web |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/orourke-in-the-driving-seat-after-plum-draw-2865839.html |title=O'Rourke in the driving seat after plum draw |date=3 September 2011 |last=Foley |first=Ciara |accessdate=14 December 2011 |work=Irish Independent}}

At the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Cuddihy qualified for the semi-finals of the 400m as a fastest loser with a time of 52.09.{{cite web |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/olympics/irish-news/joanne-cuddihy-qualifies-for-400m-semi-finals-as-fastest-loser-26883056.html |title=Joanne Cuddihy qualifies for 400M semi finals as fastest loser |date=2 December 2012 |last=Foley |first=Cliona |accessdate=18 September 2014 |work=Irish Independent}} She failed to make the final after finishing fifth in her semi-final.{{cite web |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/olympics/irish-news/joanne-cuddihy-with-intelligent-run-in-semifinal-last-night-26883568.html |title=Joanne Cuddihy with intelligent run in semi-final last night |date=2 December 2012 |accessdate=18 December 2014 |work=Irish Independent}} Cuddihy retired from professional athletics following the Olympics.

Cuddihy's father, Bill, is a Kilkenny hurling doctor. Her younger sister, Catriona is also a 400-metre runner.

Cuddihy studied medicine at University College Dublin, and is a qualified doctor.{{cite web|url=http://www.athleticsireland.ie/content/?page_id=638 |title=Joanne Cuddihy |accessdate=14 December 2011 |publisher=Athletics Ireland |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120531205813/http://www.athleticsireland.ie/content/?page_id=638 |archivedate=31 May 2012 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/cuddihy-embarrassed-after-jumping-the-gun-2860244.html |title=Cuddihy 'embarrassed' after jumping the gun |date=29 August 2011 |last=Foley |first=Cliona |accessdate=14 December 2011 |work=Irish Independent}} Since retiring from athletics, Cuddihy has been working at Temple Street Children's University Hospital.{{cite web |url=http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/health/highachiever-settling-back-into-the-real-world-29958370.html |title=High-achiever settling back into the real world |date=30 January 2014 |last=Power |first=Ed |accessdate=18 September 2014 |work=Irish Independent}}

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Category:1984 births

Category:Living people

Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 2012 Summer Olympics

Category:Irish female sprinters

Category:Olympic athletes for Ireland

Category:Olympic female sprinters

Category:Athletes from County Dublin

Category:21st-century Irish sportswomen