Information on the qualified athletes and the management, coaching and medical support team were revealed today (July 12) at a conference attended by the Minister for Arts, Sport & Tourism Mr. Martin Cullen T.D., and the Chinese Ambassador to Ireland Mr. Liu Bewei, in the Conrad Hotel, Dublin.
Two late additions to the team were confirmed by the Olympic Council today – young swimmers Melanie Nocher (20) from Belfast and Aisling Cooney (18) from Dublin – who both benefit from a special London 2012 Olympic Development arrangement between the OCI and Swim Ireland.
The Irish team will compete in specially designed competition, training and casual clothing developed by Asics, the team’s sponsor of sporting gear – and will depart in groups for acclimatisation at various destinations including Vladivostok, Russia and Matsui, Japan from late July.
Most of the sports will compete in the Olympic city of Beijing, with the sailing team competing in the coastal city of Qingdao and the equestrian team in Hong Kong.
Pat Hickey, President of the Olympic Council of Ireland, praised the efforts of the athletes, their coaches and national federations for their sustained efforts to gain Olympic qualification. “I know that the athletes will represent Ireland on the world’s greatest sporting stage with pride and passion”.
The Chinese Ambassador Mr. Liu Bewei expressed his sincere congratulations to the athletes qualified for the Games and welcomed them to Beijing. He also offered his best wishes to Team Ireland for every success in the competition.
The Ambassador presented special Olympic pins to the Olympic athletes present at the team launch including the first women to represent Ireland at the Olympics in fencing in 60 years, Siobhan Byrne.
The Chef de Mission (team manager) of the Irish team is Dermot Henihan from Limerick and the Deputy Chef de Mission is Tom Rafter from Co. Dublin.
Ireland’s Olympic medical support team will be headed by Dr. Sean Gaine of the Mater Hospital, Dublin and by Chief Physiotherapist Dr. Marie-Elaine Grant.
The Opening Ceremony of the Games takes place on the eight minute, of the eight hour, of the eight day, of the eight month, of 2008 – eight being the Chinese ‘good luck’ number. Over 10,500 athletes from 204 countries will compete in 28 sports in the two-week Games.
Further Information:
Jack McGouran, OCI Media Officer 087 237 2826
