Who Are Sarah Lavin’s Parents? All You Need to Know About Ireland’s Track & Field Star

“Behind every successful athlete is a family that supports them unconditionally.” This adage holds true for Irish track and field sensation Sarah Lavin. As she races toward international glory, her parents have stood as her unwavering pillars of strength and encouragement. Renowned for her prowess in the 100m hurdles, Sarah recently secured her place on the Paris Olympics team by clinching the national title earlier this month. Under the expert guidance of her coach, Noelle Morrissey, she has soared to new career heights.

Lavin boasts several national records, including a personal best of 12.79s in the 100m hurdles, 7.97s in the 60m hurdles, and 11.27s in the 100m flat sprint—the current Irish record. From the very beginning, her parents have nurtured her dream. This article delves into the lives of Sarah Lavin’s parents, revealing the unwavering support system that has propelled her to greatness.

Who are Sarah Lavin’s parents? 

Sarah Lavin is an Irish high hurdler who finished fourth at the 2019 Summer Universiade. She also won a silver medal at the 2013 European Youth Championships and represented Ireland at the 2020 Summer Olympics. Born in Limerick in 1994 to her father, Ger Lavin, Sarah Lavin’s mother’s identity remains private. However, she has often referred to her parents as her childhood heroes. Lavin’s passion for sports has been evident since her youth, as she engaged in a variety of athletic activities.

Lavin embarked on her athletic journey at the age of 7, captivated by the thrill of running fast and competing at Emerald A.C. and in school events. Coached by Noelle Morrissey, Sarah Lavin advanced from juvenile competitions in Limerick and Munster to showcasing her talents on the European and world stages. Excelling in the 100m hurdles, she has broken national junior records and enjoyed the experience of traveling the globe while doing so.

On Father’s Day this year, Lavin made a post on Instagram, captioned, “We love you so much!♥️ Happy Father’s Day pops!” 🥰.” She shared a series of photos of her father from holidays and dinners, including a particularly memorable childhood moment.

How Lavin’s parents supported her during hard times

In April 2023, Sarah Lavin’s long-term partner, rally driver Craig Breen, tragically passed away in a crash while testing for the Croatia Rally. A fence post reportedly pierced the cabin through the driver’s side window. This heartbreaking event occurred just months before Sarah shattered the Irish national 100m hurdles record at the World Championships, setting an impressive time of 12.62s.

After the match, she paid tribute to her late partner saying, “I love Craig dearly, I love his family dearly, and I miss him every day, I’m completely heartbroken.” She found solace in the embrace of her parents and Breen’s parents, Ray and Jackie. With their support, Lavin has managed to cope with her loss and return to competing. She secured the national title in the 100m hurdles event earlier in July and aspires to represent Ireland and win medals at the Paris Games.