Ireland’s young skiers expressed their gratitude to the OCI through flag bearer Hubert Gallagher at the close of the 2011 EYOWF in Liberec.
Commenting on the event he said “I want to thank the Olympc Council for supporting me in the recent EYOWF. We found the week a fantastic experience and really enjoyed meeting and skiing with the rest of the team. As a group I think we worked really well together and got on really well.”
Gallagher continued “I was reasonably happy with my results and I would love to continue to improve my skiing in the future and hopefully represent Ireland in the full Olympics. Seeing the standard of some of the medal winners has made me determined to train very hard and to try and compete at the top level.
Anne O’Connor was a fantastic Chef de Mission and made sure the whole trip ran smoothly. Phil Brown gave us plenty of support as a coach. It was a great honour to meet Mr. Patrick Hickey and Dermot Sherlock who came to support us during the races. I had the honour of carrying the Irish flag in the opening ceremony and I hope I will get the opportunity to compete in the full Olympics in 2014. Overall it was a great experience. Many thanks once more for all your support and assistance. Also a thank you to Haglofs as well. We all loved the gear!”
Stephen Martin OCI Chief Executive said “The OCI would like to thank the athletes, Anne O’Connor and Phil Brown and Snowsport Ireland for their professionalism in all aspects of the EYOWF programme. Hopefuly the athletes will be inspired to go on and represent Ireland at senior level”
EYOWF Liberec videos can be found here
Note: The 10th Winter European Youth Olympic Festival closed on Friday, with 12 countries taking back home medals but with 1’055 participants from all the 44 teams going home with great memories of their experience.
With EOC President Patrick Hickey in attendance. After athletes and officials listened to the Olympic anthem the Olympic Flame was extinguished and it was time for the final party, with everyone, all countries together, dancing on the floor.
The next EYOWF will be held in Brasov ,Romanian in 2013.
The next major event on the Winter Youth calendar is the World Youth Olympic Games in 2012.
