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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 18 Apr 2000

Vol. 518 No. 3

Priority Questions. - Sports Clothing Dispute.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

34 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the action he will take to resolve the ongoing dispute between the Olympic Council of Ireland and the Athletics Association of Ireland in view of the negative impact the dispute is having on Irish athletes and on Irish sport internationally. [11594/00]

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

35 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the discussions he has had with the Olympic Council of Ireland and the Athletics Association of Ireland regarding the dispute over the clothing to be worn by Irish track and field athletes at the Olympic Games in Sydney; if he will take all possible steps to ensure that the preparation of athletes is not disrupted by this dispute; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11593/00]

Dick Roche

Ceist:

261 Mr. Roche asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if his attention has been drawn to the disquiet among the public at the continuing failure of the Olympic Council of Ireland to resolve its differences with the Athletics Association of Ireland; and the plans, if any, he has to request both bodies to agree to resolve their differences by way of arbitration at an early date in order to avoid any unnecessary pressure being placed on Irish athletes in the period prior to the Olympic Games. [11598/00]

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 34, 35 and 261 together.

At the outset, I want to make it quite clear that responsibility for the ongoing dispute regarding the clothing to be worn by Irish track and field athletes competing in the Sydney Olympic Games rests squarely with the Olympic Council of Ireland and the Athletics Association of Ireland and only they can resolve it.

In common with the majority of the Irish people, and especially in my capacity as Minister, I am anxious that the 2000 Olympic Games should not see a repeat of the very unsavoury and public differences that occurred between the Irish athletics and Olympic organisations in Atlanta in 1996.

Over the past 12 months I have been in contact with both the Olympic Council of Ireland and the relevant athletics organisation – originally BLE and more recently the Athletics Association of Ireland – urging them, in the strongest possible terms, to resolve their difficulties in relation to the gear issue well in advance of Sydney 2000. The Irish Sports Council has also been involved in similar contacts.

Despite our best efforts, however, and despite reassurances from both bodies that they would endeavour to have the matter resolved, they remain entrenched in their conflicting positions. Disappointed at the failure of the council and the association to find a compromise, and seriously concerned at the effect the dispute could have on our athletes as they prepare for the biggest event of their sporting lives, I recently took the unusual step of writing to the relevant international organisations – the International Olympic Council and the International Amateur Athletics Federation – seeking clarification and guidance in the matter. In reply, I was informed that the Association of the Summer Olympics International Federations, including the IAAF, is to discuss the gear issue at a meeting which takes place in Lausanne tomorrow, 19 April.

Last week, in the course of separate meetings which I held with the senior representatives of the OCI and the AAI, both undertook to meet promptly to consider the outcome of the Lausanne discussions and to report back to me immediately thereafter, hopefully with an agreed resolution.

I assure this House of my continuing commitment to having this matter resolved in the interest of our athletes whose psychological and mental preparation for the games is as important as their physical fitness, in the interest of preserving Ireland's image abroad and, not least, in the interest of the Irish sporting public.

Does the Minister agree our top athletes are being used as hostages in a power struggle between the two organisations, the Olympic Council of Ireland and the AAI, which, in signing their respective contracts with Adidas and Asics, knew they would be entering into confrontation with each other as a result? Does he agree that not only have these organisations treated our athletes in a despicable way but they are bringing the good name of Irish sport into disrepute?

Has the Minister demanded – I use the word "demanded" rather than requested – that these two organisations submit their respective cases to an independent mediator or arbitrator?

The answer to all the Deputy's questions is yes. I acknowledge the co-operation I have received from all sides of this Houses on this thorny issue. I understand that in the post-Atlanta period, the Deputy tried to bring this matter to a conclusion and that he informed them of his disapproval of the events which happened in Atlanta. Unfortunately, this matter has gone on. They have undoubtedly tarnished the image of Irish sport in the past and are making an effort to do so again.

I have not demanded but requested that an arbitrator or a mediator-arbitrator be appointed but this has been refused. In fairness to the Athletics Association of Ireland, I must make it clear that it has come forward and is prepared to compromise. It has brought forward proposals to me in order to compromise and is prepared to accept mediation and arbitration. I hope that is the way forward. Unfortunately, the president of the Olympic Council of Ireland is entrenched in his position and he sees no need for arbitration. As has already been pointed out, if he feels so sure of his footing in this instance, I see no reason he cannot accept a mediator-arbitrator.

Does the Minister agree that this unedifying spectacle is totally at variance with the Olympic charter which seeks to build a peaceful and better world and requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play? Does he further agree that, in effect, the Olympic Council of Ireland is thumbing its nose at the Minister, the Government and the Dáil, bringing the image of the country into disrepute and putting pressure on our athletes, that this conduct is totally unacceptable and that the Olympic Council of Ireland should take up the Minister's offer given that the Athletics Association of Ireland has indicated it will take up his offer of mediation?

Will the Minister make a specific proposal and put a time frame on this issue? This cannot be allowed to drift on because the country is being brought into greater disrepute as each day passes. What are young people looking at this spectacle thinking? Young people involved in sport are witnessing this type of carry on and athletes are the last people to be considered. This spectacle is all about rule books and positions.

This squabble, which should have been settled at national level, is now on the international stage and will be discussed at Lausanne tomorrow. I am not hopeful in regard to the meeting in Lausanne. It is totally against the spirit of the Olympic movement. The leader of the Olympic movement in Ireland appears to be totally entrenched and unwilling to compromise on this issue because he says and he appears to have right on his side. I am not here to decide who is right and who is wrong. There should be a compromise. Some 200 countries are involved in the Olympic movement and this country is the only one which has not resolved this dispute. I cannot put a time frame on this matter.

There were reports in the media yesterday suggesting that certain athletes could be just spectators. I would like to clarify that. The point being made is that an athlete who does not sign a contract with the Olympic Council of Ireland will not go to Sydney. That is the bottom line about which the president of the Olympic Council of Ireland has told me. Athletes have to sign this contract and accept whatever happens after it has been signed. We must understand that these Olympic athletes will sign the contract – there is no question about that – because going to the Olympics is the pinnacle of any athlete's career. These athletes will sign the contract and will undoubtedly go to the Olympics but, unfortunately, their mental attitude to these games is being disrupted. I hope there will be a resolution and that the issue can be taken out of the public domain as soon as possible.

I agree with the Minister that the athletes concerned are to be pitied. They are pawns or hostages in a power struggle between two very strong organisations. Will the Minister consider using the ultimate sanction of withdrawing or substantially reducing funds to these organisations until such time as they act in a decent way, but not this year because we do not want to affect the performance of our athletes in an Olympic year? I appeal to those at the top on the Olympic Council of Ireland to put Ireland first and not their own powerful positions, to come to their senses and think of the country before themselves. I appeal to these organisations to submit to an independent arbitrator or mediator for the sake of the good name of Irish sport.

I will take the Deputy's view on board. I have told both organisations that the only area of leverage I have relates to funding and have assured them that I will not use that in the run-up to the Olympics because we cannot be seen to be interfering with that. I informed them that this issue must be resolved before we meet to discuss the strategy for next year and that, given that funding will be withheld next year if they do not resolve the issue, they should resolve it before this year's Olympics rather than after. I will take on board the Deputy's proposal.

One of the marks of the Olympic movement is its opposition to commercial abuse of sports and athletes. The movement sees itself and sport as building bridges between people all over the world and as a means of promoting peace, but that perception has been totally shattered by this ongoing sham battle which is not about any substantial issue but is really about power bases. I support the call from the Minister and Deputy Allen for the two bodies to get together and, in a constructive spirit, in a spirit of solidarity, resolve this matter quickly in the interests of the country, because we cannot possibly allow a repetition of the incident that occurred in Atlanta in 1996 involving one of our best medal prospects at that time, Sonia O'Sullivan. What is happening is totally and utterly at variance with the spirit—

The time available for these questions is up. The Minister may want to comment briefly.

I will take on board the proposals of both Deputies. What is happening is a total sham. The Joint Presidents of the National Athletics and Cultural Association, Nick Davis and Michael Heery, have tried to compromise on this issue and are willing to accept arbitration. Unfortunately, that has not been reciprocated on the other side. I will take the Deputies' views on board.

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