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 the OFI. Six non-officer positions were also elected at the EGM and the 2025 – 2028 Strategy was also unveiled, as well as the findings of the review of the Paris Olympic Games.
Newly elected President Lochlann Walsh steps up to the role having been an OFI board member since 2017,
“I’m really honoured to have taken over as President, and particularly having taken over from someone like Sarah Keane. Having seen the passion in the room tonight, it’s a humbling honour for me.
“Irish sport has never been in such a good place, and we have huge ambitions to take Olympic Sport further and accelerate the trajectory we have been on over the past two cycles. There are huge opportunities ahead and some significant challenges. Everyone here tonight has entrusted us with the responsibility to deliver on their ambitions for Olympic sport in Ireland. This is a big responsibility and one we are humbled to accept.”
Walsh comes into the position with over 30 years’ experience in commercial leadership roles in large multi-nationals, and has extensive experience in sports governance. Additionally, he held the role of Chair of Triathlon Ireland from 2013 – 2021.
Six candidates were elected to the non-officer positions, including Moira Aston and Michelle Carpenter who sat on the previous board. They are joined by Cecile Van Steenberge, Roddy Guiney, John Menton and John Feehan, ensuring it is a gender balanced elected board.
In addition to these elected positions the OFI Board also contains two independent directors (Nigel Cowman and Sean Hawkshaw) and a further two independent directors may be co-opted in the next Olympic cycle.
The Chair of the OFI Athletes’ Commission (Shane O’Connor), also sits on the OFI Board. Athletes’ Commission elections are due to take place in early 2025.
During the EGM the Board revealed the 2025 – 2028 Strategy, which expands on the focus from the previous strategy, with a focus on Team Ireland, Empowering Athletes, Breaking Records, Winning Medals and Inspiring Ireland. The key pillars are a play on the word ‘podium’, centred on Performance, Operational excellence, Driving High Performance policy, Inspiring communities, Unlocking additional resources and harnassing the collective strength of Team Ireland.
Following Team Ireland’s most successful Olympic Games, the OFI conducted an independent review of Paris, consulting with a range of stakeholders from athletes and NGB performance staff to Sport Ireland, Sport Northern Ireland and members of the OFI staff and board. The review reflected on a positive Games which demonstrated that the partnership approach that was adopted across the Irish Sports System was central to the success of Team Ireland in Paris. Working together, the ‘Athlete First’ approach created an environment which allowed athletes prepare, compete and exit the Games in a manner that maximised both their athletic performance and the overall Olympic experience.
As of this evening, the OFI Chief Executive, Peter Sherrard, now combines his role with a new General Secretary position for the purpose of international representation.
Constitution of new Executive Committee:
President: Lochlann Walsh
Vice-President: Sarah O’Shea
Board Member: Moira Aston
Board Member: Roddy Guiney
Board Member: John Menton
Board Member: Cecile Van Steenberge
Board Member: Michelle Carpenter
Board Member: John Feehan
Independent Director: Nigel Cowman
Independent Director: Sean Hawkshaw
Chair of the Athletes’ Commission: Shane O’Connor
General Secretary: Peter Sherrard, OFI Chief Executive
Link to Strategy HERE
Link to Paris Review HERE