Performance Support Team Announced For Dakar 2026

Team Ireland Boosted by Sport Ireland Institute Performance Support

The Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI) has confirmed the performance support team that will work with Team Ireland’s athletes in the leadup to and during the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026. The announcement reflects the continued close partnership between the OFI and the Sport Ireland Institute (SII), bringing together specialist expertise across physiotherapy, medicine, physiology, performance nutrition and psychology.

Robbie Smyth has been appointed Games Head of Performance Support and will travel with the team to Dakar. A native of Drogheda, Smyth will lead and coordinate all performance support services at the Games, while also providing onsite physiotherapy care to athletes. He is a key member of the SII physiotherapy team and serves as lead physiotherapist to Ireland’s high performance swim programme. Smyth was part of the performance support team at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and has previously supported Team Ireland at European Youth Olympic Festival level.

In Dakar, Smyth will also oversee Ireland’s performance support collaboration with Denmark and Finland. This sharedservices concept was first established between Ireland and Denmark for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Games, with Iceland also part of the model. The approach proved highly effective, enabling smaller teams to access enhanced physio and medical expertise while maximising resources and ensuring consistent, high quality support for athletes.

Team Ireland will receive remote medical leadership from Chief Medical Officer Dr Frank O’Leary, who brings extensive experience from his role as remote CMO during Milano Cortina 2026 and from previous international collaborations.

In preparation for the Games, athletes will also be supported by the wider SII team, including Conor Raleigh in physiology, David Tobin in performance nutrition and Colin O’Driscoll in psychology. This preparation programme is funded through the IOC Olympic Solidarity initiative and is designed to introduce young athletes to bestpractice behaviours and practical tools for performing at a multisport Games in a potentially challenging environment. The programme combines education sessions, practical workshops and heat preparation using the SII environmental chamber.

Speaking about the appointment of the performance support team, Chef de Mission Nancy Chillingworth said,

“The appointment of our performance support team is another important milestone on the road to Dakar 2026, and I am delighted to continue our strong partnership with the Sport Ireland Institute in helping our young athletes prepare for the Games. Access to the Institute’s worldclass expertise and facilities will provide an invaluable development opportunity for them.

“I am particularly pleased that Robbie Smyth has been appointed as Games Head of Performance Support. Robbie brings outstanding experience and energy to the position, and I have every confidence that he will play a key role in creating the environment our athletes need to thrive. It is also exciting to build further on our successful collaboration with Team Denmark following Milano Cortina 2026, with the two teams once again working together to enhance the support available to athletes and staff.”

Performance Support Team

Games Head of Performance Support: Robbie Smyth

Chief Medical Officer: Dr. Frank O’Leary

Performance Physiology Consultant: Conor Raleigh