ATHLETES' COMMISSION

The Athletes’ Commission (AC) is the independent voice of Ireland’s Olympians a collective of athletes elected by athletes to ensure that real experience
shapes every decision within the Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI).

It exists to make sure Irish athletes are not only represented but empowered; not only heard, but genuinely listened to. Guided by this purpose, the AC’s mission and vision set out how we serve, support, and strengthen the athlete voice across Team Ireland

COMMISSION MEMBERS

Athletes’ Commission Chair

Aifric Keogh

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Aifric Keogh is an Olympic bronze medalist in Rowing from Tokyo 2020. She was elected to the position of Chair of the Athletes’ Commission by her fellow members in 2025 and sits on the Executive Committee of the Olympic Federation of Ireland in that capacity.

VICE-Chair

Billy Dardis

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As captain of the Ireland rugby sevens team, Billy Dardis led the squad to their historic first Olympic appearance at the Tokyo 2020 Games. Dardis contributed 12 points through six successful conversions, showcasing his pivotal role in the team’s performance.

Beyond the Olympics, his tenure as captain saw Ireland achieve significant milestones, including a bronze medal at the 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens and a gold medal at the 2023 European Games.

ATHLETICS

Brendan Boyce

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Brendan Boyce has represented Ireland in three Olympic Games, with his debut at London 2012 where he finished 26th in the 50 km walk.

At Rio 2016, he improved to 19th, and his best Olympic finish came at Tokyo 2020 with an impressive 10th place.

LUGE

Elsa Desmond

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Elsa Desmond made history at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing by becoming Ireland’s first-ever Olympic luger.

Competing in the women’s singles event, she finished 33rd, marking a significant milestone for Irish participation in the sport.

Desmond, a qualified doctor, balanced her medical studies with her athletic pursuits, often studying between training sessions and competitions.

HOCKEY

Hannah McLoughlin

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Hannah McLoughlin made her Irish senior debut at the age of 18. She was player of the Match in the 2020 Irish Senior Cup final and became a regular in Ireland’s defence during the subsequent seasons.

McLoughlin started her career with Avoca before moving to Loreto and then UCD. She played a key role at penalty corners due to her extensive array of ariels and long passes.

RUGBY SEVENS

Harry McNulty

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Harry McNulty represented Ireland at both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

He was a key member of the team during Ireland’s Olympic debut in Tokyo, where they finished tenth.

In Paris, McNulty captained the squad to the quarter-finals, marking a significant achievement for Irish rugby sevens. Following the Paris Olympics, he announced his retirement from international rugby, concluding a distinguished nine-year career with the national team.

BOXING

Paddy Barnes

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Paddy Barnes, began boxing at the age of eleven and quickly rose through the ranks, representing Ireland in three consecutive Olympic Games.

At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Barnes secured a bronze medal in the light-flyweight category, a feat he replicated at the 2012 London Olympics, making him the first Irish boxer to win medals at two consecutive Games.

In the 2016 Rio Olympics, he had the honor of being Ireland’s flag bearer during the opening ceremony.

HOCKEY

Roisín Upton

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Róisín Upton made a significant contribution to the Irish hockey team’s Olympic journey.

She was instrumental in Ireland’s historic qualification for their first-ever Olympic appearance in women’s field hockey at the Tokyo 2020 Games. Upton played in all five matches during the tournament, showcasing her skills as a defender and midfielder.

DIVING

Tanya Watson

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Tanya, whose maternal grandmother hails from Derry, first competed for Ireland in 2018 when she was fifth at the Youth Olympics and seventh in the platform in her European Senior Championship debut.

In 2020 she had two top 10 finishes in FINA Grand Prix and two sixth places in 2020. In 2021 she made the European senior final and only missed making the final of the Diving World Cup in Tokyo by two points where her score in qualifying made her the first Irish female diver to qualify for an Olympic Games.

Athletes’ Commission Strategy – DOWNLOAD HERE

 

ATHLETES' COMMISSION NEWS

Aifric Keogh takes on a different challenge – ensuring athletes have a stronger voice in Irish sport.

After two Olympic cycles and a medal-winning career, Aifric Keogh is taking on a different challenge – ensuring athletes have a stronger voice in Irish sport.   Keogh returned from Tokyo with a bronze medal and, as a passionate supporter of her Team Ireland colleagues across all Olympic sports, felt a strong desire to give something [...]

OFI ATHLETES’ COMMISSION LAUNCHES ATHLETE-CENTRED STRATEGY AND COMMISSION PLAYBOOK

The Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI) Athletes’ Commission (AC) today officially launched its new Athlete-Centred Strategy alongside the Athletes’ Commission Playbook, setting out a clear, athlete-led roadmap for how athlete voice will shape Irish Olympic sport over the coming cycles.    Developed by athletes, for athletes, the strategy marks a significant evolution in the role [...]

OFI Athletes’ Commission Secures IOC Athlete365 Career+ Workshop for Irish Athletes

OFI Athletes’ Commission Secures IOC Athlete365 Career+ Workshop for Irish Athletes The Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI) Athletes’ Commission has successfully secured an IOC Athlete365 Career+ Self-Discovery Workshop – Power Up Your Future!, which will be delivered to Irish athletes by Barbara Kendall OLY. Barbara Kendall is one of New Zealand’s most distinguished Olympians — [...]

Aifric Keogh attends International Athletes’ Forum 2025

International Athletes' Forum 2025 empowers and inspires over 400 athlete representatives. More than 400 athlete representatives gathered in Lausanne, Switzerland, for the 12th International Athletes' Forum (IAF). Hosted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes’ Commission (AC) , athlete representatives from 200 National Olympic Committees (NOCs), 54 International Federations (IFs), the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), [...]

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