Medal hopes are high as the most promising Irish Under 17’s in athletics, swimming, gymnastics and cycling compete in what is now one of the most important competitions in the Olympic calendar and the largest event of its kind in Europe.
Over 3,000 elite youngsters from over 40 nations will represent their countries in Belgrade and the Irish team, managed by the OCI’s Chef de Mission Martin Burke, is:
Athletics: Niamh Whelan (100 and 200 metres), Rebecca Ffrench O’Carroll (1500 metres), Charlotte Ffrench O’Carroll (3000 metres), Gráinne Moggan (High Jump), Clare Fitzgerald (Shot), Christopher Russell (100 and 200 metres), Cathal Owens (400 metres), Eoin McDonnell (800 metres), Ian Ward (1500 metres), Noel Collins (2000 S/C), Kourosh Foroughi (High Jump), Daniel Clifford (Discus), Geraldine Nolan (Manager), Jacqui Freyne (Coach), Karen Mills (Coach).
Swimming: Gráinne Murphy (400 and 800 Freestyle, 400 and 200 Individual Medley, 200 Butterfly), Emily Heyburn (100 and 200 Butterfly, 50, 100 and 200 Freestyle), William Ensor (100 and 200 Backcrawl, 100 Butterfly, 400 Individual Medley), Michael Dawson (100 and 200 Breaststroke), Mary Murphy (Manager), Sandra Cole (Coach).
Gymnastics: Emma Gorman, Aimee O’Driscoll, Rebecca Wallace, Aoibhinn Dunne (Manager), Sun Jie (Coach).
Cycling: Stuart Henry, Charles Prendergast, Peter Williams, Robert Dunlop (Manager), Michael McKenna (Coach).
Medical Team: Dr. Ciaran Cosgrave (Medical Officer), Dr. Marie-Elaine Grant (Physiotherapist), Enda Whyte (Physiotherapist).