ATHLETES' COMMISSION

The OFI Athlete Commission serves as the collective voice of athletes within the Olympic movement in Ireland.

It ensures that athlete perspectives are considered in decision-making processes at all levels of the Federation.

The Commission works to support athlete welfare, promote integrity in sport, and enhance communication between athletes and sporting bodies. It also plays a strategic role in shaping policies that affect athletes’ preparation, performance, and post-competition transition.

 
 

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 2020 – 2024

The Olympic Federation of Ireland mission, as a member of the International Olympic Movement, is to enhance Irish Sport, Irish Athletes and the country. A focus area in the strategic plan is ‘Putting Athletes First’, to ensure that being an Olympian is the pinnacle of their sporting career. The work of the Athletes’ Commission is to ensure that athletes are empowered to participate in and advise on decision making structures and have a voice on all key matters affecting Olympic athletes.

Athletes’ Commission Strategy can be downloaded here:

 

ATHLETES' COMMISSION NEWS

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), [...]

NEW TEAM IRELAND ATHLETES’ COMMISSION ANNOUNCED FOR 2025 – 2028

Olympic Medallist Aifric Keogh to Chair High Calibre and Diverse Committee     The Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI) is pleased to announce the newly elected Athletes’ Commission (AC) for the 2025–2028 term. Comprising a diverse group of Olympians, the Commission ensures that the athlete voice remains central to the decision-making process within the Irish [...]

CANDIDATES SOUGHT FOR NEW ATHLETES’ COMMISSION

Recruitment has begun for the new Athletes' Commission 2025 - 2028 We are currently recruiting members for the new Olympic Federation of Ireland Athletes’ Commission, in what will be an exciting opportunity to have input into many of the decisions and operations across relevant areas in the Olympic movement. The Athletes’ Commission plays a key [...]

International Athletes Forum 2023 Concludes

Over the past two days, the 11th International Athletes’ Forum (IAF) brought together over 400 athlete representatives in Lausanne to discuss the most important issues for athletes across the Olympic Movement. The two days of discussion and debate resulted in a series of outcomes, announced by the IOC Athletes’ Commission (AC) today. AC members from [...]

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