Behind every athlete is a team of support who assisted them on their journey. Today the Olympic Federation of Ireland revealed the names of the Team Leaders across the nineteen sports in which Team Ireland will be represented across the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
In a year where a record number of athletes have qualified for Ireland in the Olympic Games, and in a time where leadership has been more important than ever, the 116 athletes who will compete in Tokyo are supported by a diverse and dedicated group of leaders.
Through the strong relationships that have been developed between these team leads and the Olympic Federation of Ireland, collaboration has been key to navigating through what has presented such uncertainty and challenges.
Team Ireland Chef de Mission for Tokyo 2020, Tricia Heberle, commented,
“These Olympic Games have been a unique experience, requiring strong leaderships at a sport level to support both athletes and staff within their sports. We have a diverse group of team leaders, some have multi-Games experience, and others are transitioning from coaching roles, while others are heading into their first Games.
“Sport team leaders play an integral role working with the OFI on all elements of planning, for pre-Games preparation, and in competition performance. Over the last four years these leaders have faced unprecedented challenges in trying to navigate uncertainty in the daily training environment of their athletes, have had to deal with impacts on travel, on competition and indeed on a changing Olympic qualification journey for some.
“They have an integral role in the Olympic movement, as the primary contact that the athlete has with the Olympic Federation of Ireland, and in many cases are intimately involved in the sporting progress of the athletes.”
TEAM IRELAND SPORTS LEADERS:
Athletics Paul McNamara
Badminton Dan Magee
Boxing Bernard Dunne
Canoeing Jon Mackey
Cycling (Road) Tommy Evans
Cycling (Track) Martyn Irvine
Equestrian (Dressage) Triona Connors
Equestrian (Eventing) Sally Corscadden
Equestrian (Jumping) Michael Blake
Golf Neil Manchip
Gymnastics Sally Johnson
Hockey Adam Grainger
Judo Ciaran Ward
Modern Pentathlon Martina McCarthy
Rowing Antonio Maurogiovanni
Rugby 7s Anthony Eddy
Sailing James O’Callaghan
Shooting Jeff McCreedy
Swimming & Diving Jon Rudd
Taekwondo Niamh Buffini
Triathlon Stephen Delaney
