The Olympic Council of Ireland has selected a strong squad to represent Ireland in five sports at next month’s 11th European Youth Olympic Games being held in Trabzon, Turkey. Over 2,000 of the best young athletes in Europe will compete in this key multi-sport event on the Black Sea – an important competition in the development of young athletes for future Olympic participation from the 24th -29th July. The Irish Team will have a 5 day pre Games training camp in Turkey prior to the opening ceremony.
Last summer the team had a weeks pre EYOF training camp in Romania, organised by the Olympic Council , to help the athletes preparations for the climatic conditions they will face in Turkey, with an number of experts on hand to deliver workshops on all aspects of elite performance. It was also an excellent opportunity for the team members to get to know each other in a multi sport environment prior to this years event in Trabzon.
ATHLETICS: Siofra Clérigh Buttner, Aisling Croke, Ruari Finnegan, Ciara Giles Doran, Karl Griffin, Megan Kiely, Ben Kiely, Sarah Lavin, Marcus Lawler, Matthew Martin, Grainne Moynihan, Amy O’Donoghue, Greg O’Shea, Sean Tobin.
CYCLING: Mark Downey, Eddie Dunbar, Jason Prendergast.
GYMNASTICS: Adam Dalton, India McPeak, Sarah Strawbridge.
SWIMMING: Clodagh Flood, Luke FitzGibbon, Brendan Gibbons, Mary Kate McDowell, David O’Sullivan, Sean O’Brien, Brian O’Sullivan.
TENNIS: Robert Dudley, Sinead Lohan.
OCI CHEF de MISSION: Tom Rafter.
OCI SPORTS DIRECTOR: Martin Burke.
Interviews with Swimmer Brian O’Sullivan and hurdler Sara Lavin can be found here
Sarah Lavin, 100m hurdles, athletics
Brian O’Sullivan, 100m backstroke and 50m freestyle, swimming
Sean O’Brien 200m Individual medley, swimming.
Marcus Lawlor, 200m, athletics
Brendan Gibbons, 1500m freestyle
Tom Rafter Irish Team Chef de Mission outside Olympic House, with European Youth Olympic athletes from left to right;
Marcus Lawlor, 200m, athletics, Brendan Gibbens, 1500m freestyle, swimming, Sarah Lavin, 100m hurdles, athletics, Tom Rafter,
Chef de Mission, Brian O’Sullivan, 100m backstroke and 50m freestyle, swimming, and Sean O’Brien, 200m Individual medley, swimming.
Further Information: Martin Burke OCI 01 8660555 or
Deirdre Smith:OCI Press Officer, 087 237 2826
