Winter Games

Ireland's Pat Shannon sits in 27th place after his first two runs in the men's skeleton event at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver.

PJ Barron reflects on his first Olympic Games, having competed in 15km cross country event in Whistler. Its an event that is highly technical and endurance based. Barron is a 21 year student. Most athletes reach their prime in their late twenties, early thirties.

Ireland's male slalom skier at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, Shane O'Connor, from Malahide produced a top 50 place in a World Championship race in qualifying , the best ever placing by an Irish skier in a major Championship. O'Connor has been in Vancouver training with his coach Colin Gaffney, and we asked him to comment on his experiences so far:

Pat Hickey, President of the Olympic Council of Ireland met athletes and performance support staff in Whistler at the official welcome ceremony for the Irish delegation.

Pat Shannon's Olympic skeleton campaign gets underway at Whistler Sliding Centre tomorrow, Thursday 18th February, 18.30pm (Canadian time). He was caught in action by William Cherry , Presseye, accredited Irish Media at the 2010 Games.

P. J. Barron competed in the 15km cross country skiing event in Vancouver yesterday, eventually finishing in 91st position.

Irish Winter Olympic Team athletes and performance support team officials entered the Olympic Opening Ceremony to a fantastic welcome from the host nation spectators. Bobsleigher Aoife Hoey carried her National Flag with pride. Chef de Mission Siobhan Hoey led in the performance team support.Wearing official sponsored team clothing supplied by Columbia Sport they paraded in style.

After five hours of intensive legal argument, involving senior legal counsel from Dublin and Sydney, followed by 24 hours of consideration of the Australian claim for a place in the Women’s Bobsleigh competition, the three independent judges of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), have announced their decision.

The Flag Raising Ceremony is the official welcome to the Irish Team into the Olympic Village. Pat Hickey, President, Olympic Council of Ireland, Siobhain Hoey, Chef de Mission, athletes, officials and invited guests attended.

The Olympic Council of Ireland has chosen Aoife Hoey (25) from Portarlington to lead the Irish team into the Olympic stadium in Vancouver on Friday next (Feb 12th).

The Court of Arbitration for Sport will announce their decision on the Australian Olympic Committee appeal this evening 8pm Irish Time, Tuesday 9th February.

Aiofe Hoey, Claire Bergin and Pat Shannon arrived in Vancouver on the 31st January for a 4 day practice session at the Whistler Sliding Centre, 1st-4th February.