In 2013, Irene Ekelund took part in a major international event, the World Youth Championships in Donetsk , for the first time. She finished fifth over 100 meters and won the gold medal over 200 meters with a new championship record. In 2014 she won the silver medal over 200 meters at the Junior World Championships in Eugene and took sixth place in the 100 meters final. She also qualified for the European Championships in Zurich , where she finished sixth in the relay and reached the semi-finals over 200 meters. In 2015 she qualified for the European Indoor Championships in Prague , where she reached the semi-finals over 60 meters.
In 2013 she became Swedish champion over 100 and 200 meters, in 2014 over 200 meters. She also became a five-time indoor champion. Because of her achievements and winning the first Swedish gold medal in a sprint discipline at an international championship, she was honored in 2014 with the Svenska idrottsgalan , the Swedish sports prize in the junior class.
Top performances
100 meters: 11.35 s (+1.7 m / s), June 8, 2013 in kilograms
60 meters (hall): 7.26 s, February 21, 2015 in Stockholm
200 meters: 22.92 s (−0.1 m / s), July 14, 2013 in Donetsk
Hall: 23.15 s, February 17, 2013 in Norrköping ( Swedish record )