OFI Delegation visit to ISPO 2025
A small delegation of OFI and McKvr Sports staff, joined by Tokyo 2020 Olympian Nadia Power, staff travelled to Munich last week and attended ISPO, the world’s largest sports industry trade show showcasing new products, materials and innovations from global sportswear and equipment brands. The purpose of the visit was to engage with leading sportswear suppliers and review emerging trends in performance clothing and equipment. The trip formed an important step in our ongoing work to deliver high-quality, modern and athlete-focused kit for upcoming Games cycles. The insight gathered will help inform future design direction and ensure Team Ireland athletes continue to benefit from the best available performance technology.
OFI Athletes’ Commission Survey
The OFI Athletes’ Commission has launched a new “Athletes’ Voice” survey, designed to ensure that its plans and priorities for the year ahead are firmly guided by the needs and experiences of Ireland’s athletes. It takes a few minutes to fill in and is an important guide for the AC as they move forward, if you know an elite athlete targeting the Olympic Games, please forward THIS SURVEY to them.
Athletes’ Commission attend the EOC Athletes’ Forum in London
Athletes’ Commission members Paddy Barnes and Billy Dardis represented the OFI Athletes’ Commission at the European Olympic Committees’ 8th Athletes’ Forum & Assembly in London earlier this month, an engaging three-day gathering of athlete representatives from across Europe. From the opening reception, it was clear how much shared experience exists across nations and how valuable it is to connect, learn, and speak openly about what athletes’need at every stage of the Olympic journey.
Day one was a full day of workshops covering Olympic Solidarity funding, Athlete365 resources, Milano Cortina preparations, competition manipulation, social media, and anti-doping. A standout moment came from Moses Swaibu, who shared his story of involvement in match-fixing, a powerful reminder of the importance of integrity in sport. They also gained practical insights into how countries are using IOC Solidarity Funding creatively to support athlete engagement, education, and community projects.
The second day centred on the election of the new EOC Athletes’ Commission, with an incredibly strong group of candidates. IOC AC Chair Emma Terho addressed the room, and had an inspiring moment with outgoing EOC Chair Alistair Brownlee, who shared a personal reflection from his 2012 Olympic victory, a reminder of the stories and experiences that stay with athletes long after competition.
Throughout the final workshops and breakouts, commissions shared their priorities for the year ahead. As a newly elected group, the focus within the OFI Athletes’ Commission is simple: listen, understand, and engage. Building trust and strengthening relationships with Irish athletes is the foundation for everything we hope to achieve.
Overall, it was an energising few days that reinforced the strength of the athlete network across Europe. Both Paddy and Billy returned with new ideas, fresh motivation, and a renewed commitment to being a strong, proactive, and trusted voice for Irish athletes — and to building the structures and programmes that help athletes thrive on and off the field of play.