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Athens Olympics Review.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 May 2005

Tuesday, 10 May 2005

Ceisteanna (24, 25)

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

68 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has received recommendations from the Irish Sports Council arising from the review of Ireland’s performance at the Athens Olympics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15000/05]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

76 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the timescale for the implementation of the Athens review; the cost factor involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15022/05]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 68 and 76 together.

In July 2004, the Irish Sports Council in conjunction with the Olympic Council of Ireland and the Paralympic Council of Ireland commissioned the Athens review to produce an objective assessment of the preparation and performance of the Irish teams at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Athens 2004. The review was to identify the strengths and weaknesses of all aspects of the programmes and structures over the course of the four-year cycle leading into the Athens Games with a view to making recommendations for the development of programmes for the 2008 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The final report, which was published on 2 March 2005, draws on the lessons of the last four years and on international experience to set out how we can achieve consistent success at Olympic and Paralympic Games. The report is a timely follow-up to the Sydney review which marked a watershed in Ireland's approach to high performance sport. Twenty-nine recommendations were made in that review with a view to urgently addressing every aspect of Ireland's preparation for and participation in major international sports events.

The Athens review, in its assessment of the implementation of those recommendations, makes it clear that a great deal has been achieved over the past four years. It acknowledges that significant improvements were made in the general preparation for the 2004 Athens Olympic and Paralympic Games. In particular, the relationship between the Irish Sports Council and the Olympic Council of Ireland has advanced along the lines set out in the Sydney review.

Clear, measurable targets are required for any investment. It is particularly important that, as the review recommends, sustained investment should be focused on the most talented athletes and measured against clearly defined targets. The Athens review has provided those targets for Irish sport.

In retrospect, it probably was unreasonable to expect a major benefit from the improved investment in the Athens cycle. It was too short a time-frame, especially in comparison with major competitors. We have invested substantially in sport but we started behind others and it will take time to catch up. There must be a focus on junior and developing athletes. That is the correct way to go, but it does not produce instant dividends.

The Irish Sports Council is currently carrying out an assessment of the conclusions and recommendations of the Athens review. This assessment will develop into an operational plan, which will address key performance indicators, timescales and costings and identify the roles of the various agencies, as it supports Ireland's Olympic and Paralympic preparations for Beijing. I expect to receive the council's detailed proposals shortly and it is my intention to ensure that appropriate, effective interventions will inform our preparations for Beijing.

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