IRISH OLYMPIANS' ASSOCIATION

Once and Olympian, Always an Olympian

The Irish Olympians’ Association (IOA) unites Ireland’s Olympians to honour their achievements and maintain a community among the over 1,000 athletes who have proudly represented Ireland at the Olympic Games since 1924.

Mission
The IOA is dedicated to fostering the values of the Olympic movement, in collaboration with the Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI), the IOA aims to enhance engagement between Olympians, current and aspiring athletes, and the broader sporting community.

Through initiatives that promote contact, provide resources, and elevate the role of Olympians as role models in society, the IOA strives to strengthen the Olympic legacy in Ireland and ensure that future generations are inspired, supported, and empowered to achieve their sporting goals.

The Irish Olympians’ Association is one of 148 National Olympians Associations (NOAs) spread across all five continents.

The IOA is mandated by the Executive Committee of the OFI and is led by an Honorary President.

The current President of the IOA is Athens 2004 & Beijing 2008 Olympian Roisin McGettigan-Dumas, who took up the reigns from Olympic Gold Medalist (Melbourne 1956) Ronnie Delany in December 2023.

You can get in touch with Roisin by email

Olympian's Recources

Team Ireland Plaques

Ireland’s Olympians come from communities across the country and the world. If you, your club, school or community organisation would like to recognise an Olympian, you can now apply for a special plaque.

The Team Ireland plaque features the Olympic rings, alongside the name and details of the Olympian being commemorated.

Find Out More>>

World Olympians Association

The WOA supports the more than 100,000 living Olympians throughout the world and works for their benefit at all stages of their lives.

The WOA also handles registrations for OLY – a post nominal (like PhD, MD) that gives a 24/7 public recognition of years of hard work, dedication and promotion of the Olympic values.

Visit the WOA website

Irish Olympians’ Association Facebook Group

Connect with other Irish Olympians and stay in touch with news and events at home and abroad.

This is a closed facebook group for Irish Olympians and those interested in Team Ireland’s heritage.

Visit the IOA facebook group

Join the IOA Database

Every athlete who has been selected to represent Ireland at the Olympic Games is automatically a member of the IOA, however the IOA doesn’t always have contact details for athletes who competed in Games pre the internet age.

If you, or any Irish Olympian you know does not already receive occasional emails from us, please fill in our form and help us update our database.

Submit to the database

Irish Olympians' Association News

Olympian Spotlight – Julie Parkes & Carol-Ann Heavey

Swimmers Carol-Ann Heavey and Julie Parkes at Dublin airport before departing for the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. More than 1,000 people have represented Ireland at the Olympic Games since our nation first participated in Paris 1924. In the second of an ongoing series exploring the personal stories of Ireland's Olympians, Julie Brown (nee [...]

Olympian Spotlight – Terry McHugh

Earlier this month, Terry McHugh was presented with the Olympic Federation of Ireland President’s Award in recognition of his achievements across two sports and six Olympic Games. As well as being the only Irish athlete to have competed in so many Games, Terry is in an exclusive club of dual winter and summer Olympians - [...]

100 YEARS OF TEAM IRELAND CELEBRATED AT CENTENARY OLYMPIC BALL

PHOTOS Last night, over 700 guests gathered for the special Team Ireland Centenary Olympic Ball, at the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin. In 1924 the first team competed for Ireland at the Olympic Games in Paris, and throughout the evening athletes and performances spanning the one hundred years were celebrated.   The unique event was [...]

Team Ireland Kickstart Centenary Celebrations at Trinity College Dublin

Yesterday, the Olympic Federation of Ireland brought together a number of Olympians to kickstart our centenary celebrations at Trinity College Dublin. Last night's function was the first in a series of events that Team Ireland has planned throughout our Centenary year to celebrate our Olympians, recognise their achievements and inspire the next generation of athletes to [...]

Roisin McGettigan-Dumas Becomes President of the IOA, Olympic Champion Ronnie Delany Steps Down

OLYMPIAN ROISIN MCGETTIGAN-DUMAS BECOMES THE NEW PRESIDENT OF THE IRISH OLYMPIANS’ ASSOCIATION OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALLIST RONNIE DELANY STEPS DOWN AND IS AWARDED THE IOA PRESIDENT EMERITUS TITLE   Olympic Champion Ronnie Delany has stepped down from his position as President of the Irish Olympians’ Association and the mantle will be passed to 2008 Team Ireland […]

HUGH RUSSELL – OLYMPIC BRONZE MEDALLIST – RIP

The Olympic Federation of Ireland is sad to hear of the passing of Olympic Bronze Medallist Hugh Russell. The Belfast boxer died following a short illness and is remembered fondly by the Irish Olympic and boxing community. He won his bronze medal in the Men’s Flyweight category at the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games. The OFI [...]

Olympic Medallist Jim McCourt RIP

Olympic Bronze Medallist in Boxing, Jim McCourt dies   The Olympic Federation of Ireland is sad to learn of the passing of Tokyo 1964 Olympic Medallist, Jim McCourt. The Belfast boxer was one of 18 boxers to win an Olympic medal for Ireland and was the only Irish medallist at the Olympic Games in Tokyo […]

WATCH: BLOOD, SWEAT AND TEARS

TOKYO MEDAL MOMENTS REVISITED IN MINI-DOCUSERIES OLYMPIC BRONZE MEDAL IN WOMEN’S FOUR THROWBACK As athletes pass the halfway mark in the shortest Olympic cycle in history, the Olympic Federation of Ireland today launched the first film in a mini docuseries reflecting on some of the Olympic medal moments from Tokyo 2020, a timely reminder of […]

FINTAN MCCARTHY – ON TOP OF THE WORLD

NO ONE was surprised when Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy won the World Lightweight Double Sculls title last month, given that the reigning Olympic champions already also had one World (2019) and two European titles (2021/2022) in their locker. What made it unusual though was their lack of training together this season due to the […]

Ronnie Delany Inducted to NCAA Hall of Fame

Marking the recent 100th staging of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) track and field championships, Ronnie Delany was one of 30 past winners to be inducted to the inaugural Collegiate Athlete Hall of Fame. The Irish Olympic Champion’s name stands strong alongside global stars such as Jesse Owens, Wilma Rudolph, Jim Ryun, Henry Rono, […]

Dare to Believe New Ambassador Line-up

Olympic Schools Programme Dare to Believe Expands with Allianz Ireland on board as sponsors 21 new athletes added to the ambassador line-up The Olympic Federation of Ireland is delighted to announce the addition of twenty-one new Olympic and Paralympic athletes to the Dare to Believe Olympic Schools Programme, bringing the total number of athlete ambassadors [...]

Allianz Announced as Top Sponsor of OFI and Paralympics Ireland

Allianz, one of the long-standing supporters of sport in Ireland, has been announced today as the new top sponsor and partner of the Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI) and Paralympics Ireland, marking another milestone in Allianz’s commitment to fostering sporting excellence and inspiring the next generation of Irish athletes. Having been a partner to Paralympics […]

Soucisse and Firus fly the flag for Ireland at ISU European Figure Skating Champs

  Carolane Soucisse (29) and Shane Firus (30) fly the flag for Ireland again this year at the ISU European Figure Skating Championships which are being held this week (29 January to 2 February) in Tallinn, Estonia. This will be the second outing for the ice dance duo at Europeans. Last year in Kaunas, Lithuania, they [...]

Ticket Draw Open For Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics

Ticket sales for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 will begin in February 2025. The deadline to participate in the draw for the first phase of ticket sales is January 15th. Sign up now to access to the best seats for your favorite sports! How does it work? 1. Register to be part of [...]

Olympian Spotlight – Julie Parkes & Carol-Ann Heavey

Swimmers Carol-Ann Heavey and Julie Parkes at Dublin airport before departing for the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. More than 1,000 people have represented Ireland at the Olympic Games since our nation first participated in Paris 1924. In the second of an ongoing series exploring the personal stories of Ireland's Olympians, Julie Brown (nee [...]

RTE Sportsperson of the Year | Paul O’Donovan

"Phenomenal" Paul O'Donovan was hailed "an all-time great" as he was crowned RTÉ Sport Sportsperson of the Year for 2024 on Sunday evening. The Cork rower became the first Irish Olympian to win medals at three consecutive Olympic Games in August as he claimed gold at the double sculls in Paris in a year where [...]

LAUNCH OF ATHLETE SUPPORT INITIATIVE SPONSORED BY FLOGAS

The Olympic Federation of Ireland has launched the Team Ireland Athlete Support Initiative, sponsored by Flogas, today (5 December). The scheme will see athletes benefit from additional support in education, mentorship opportunities and specific training access, in conjunction with key expert providers. Flogas has committed an initial amount of €60,000 to the initiative.  Applications are [...]

JOB OPPORTUNITY: SOCIAL MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS EXECUTIVE

Team Ireland Social Media and Communications Executive The Olympic Federation of Ireland seeks a dynamic and creative Social Media and Communications Executive to join our team. This role will be central to managing Team Ireland's digital presence, connecting with our audience, and celebrating the achievements of our athletes on the global stage. The ideal candidate [...]

Nominations For RTE Sportsperson of the Year

Next Sunday evening, December 15th at 9:30 pm, the RTÉ Sport Awards 2024 will air live on RTÉ One and the RTÉ Player. Hosted by Joanne Cantwell, Darragh Maloney, and Jacqui Hurley from Studio 4 in RTÉ, the event will celebrate Irish sporting excellence in front of an audience filled with the nation’s top athletes. [...]

LOCHLANN WALSH ELECTED PRESIDENT OF OFI

Lochlann Walsh elected President of the Olympic Federation of Ireland Lochlann Walsh was elected as the latest President of the Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI) at an Extraordinary General Meeting tonight (5 December). Walsh takes over from Sarah Keane, who has held the position since 2017. Sarah O’Shea was also elected as the Vice-President of [...]

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