Martin Burke, Chef de Mission, has arranged for sports taking part to attend planning seminars in early January 09 at Olympic House in Howth;  Summer sports:Athletics, Cycling, Gymnastics and swimming. Winter sports: Alpine skiing.The main focus of the seminar involved an athlete/coach planning workshop with OCI’s Stephen Martin to help plan and prepare for Olympic level sport.

He said “The initial seminar was attended by AAI athletes and coaches in the frame for Tampere 2009 and also four athletes who have been selected to represent Ireland in Slask-Beskidy in February ’09. Other sports specific seminars will follow”