Henihan has also explained the rational to the Chinese Ambassador in Dublin, and BOCOG officials in Beijing.
Team managers from each of the 12 sports qualified and Olympic officials point out that maximising the preparation of the athletes is their key priority.
Athletes who have arrived in Beijing and competing within 2 or 3 days after the Opening Ceremony would face a process of assembling, being transported to a waiting area, be on their feet for the duration of the Ceremony, and face the prospect of getting back to the Olympic Village in the early hours of the morning.
Track and Field athletes will be in Matsue, Japan, at their pre Games camp.
The eventing team and show jumper will be in Hong Kong , a 4 hour flight away. Irish sailors are based in Qingdao, 1hr 30mins flight away.
In reality a few sailors, rowers and boxers, competing later in the Olympic programme will be likely to take part in the Opening Ceremony.
Moving to Team accreditations, which are much restricted compared to European or World Cups, Henihan pointed out that the Olympic Council HQ will use only 5 of the accreditations available for the Irish Team: Chef de Mission Dermot Henihan, Deputy Chef Tom Rafter, and CEO Stephen Martin, Sports Director Martin Burke, and Press officer Jack McGouran.
All of the remaining accreditations will be used for Team managers, coaches , and medical support staff.
The Olympic Team, for the first time in its history , and after substantial lobbying at IOC/BOCOG level by OCI President Pat Hickey and General Secretary Dermot Sherlock, will have the ability to rotate some of the coaching and medical officials, giving the athletes a huge performance advantage on previous Games support.
Medical support led by Dr Sean Gaine and Dr Marie Elaine Grant will ensure that a maximum of 2 doctors and 3 physios available at all times during the Games, with 2 non accredited personnel :sports scientist, Dr Giles Warrington, and Olympic Team psychologist Niamh Fitspatrick , located just outside the Village.
The Olympic Council of Ireland and the Team Managers have worked closely to ensure the accreditation available have been used to ensure that athletes have the best possible chance to maximise their performance.
