Olympic review highlights lack of direction and unity

An Olympic review carried out by international sports and business consultancy Genesis has found Ireland to rank lowest among eight comparable nations in terms of success in the Games. The report added there was a lack of direction in Irish sport ahead of London 2012 and an absence of unity between the relevant organisations ahead of what should be perceived as a ‘home’ Games.

It criticised the Irish Sports Council’s (ISC) failure to implement the high performance strategy set out in 2001 and urged the identification of ‘super effective sports’ with medal winning potential.

There is little new in the report and its recommendation that the OCI be given a more ‘hands on role’ ahead of London 2012 is unsurprising considering it was commissioned by the council.

The report found the OCI was “excluded” from planning process for the four years prior to the Beijing Games and says the practice was in “marked contrast” to British model in which the “British Olympic Association and the Olympic sports work in genuine partnership”.

“All parties should ensure that an effective partnership be established, once and for all, for the benefit of Irish athletes,” it added.

The report did find common ground with the recently-published ISC review, agreeing that the role of Irish Institute of Sport (IIS) remains ambiguous and claiming its influence ahead of and during the Beijing Games was “not apparent”.

It added there is a “lack of direction and ambition” in many sports despite financial support.

In comparing Ireland’s performances over the last six Olympiads to nations to New Zealand, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Lithuania, Croatia, Slovenia and Slovakia, the results make for interesting reading.

Since 1984, Ireland has averaged less than two medals (10 in total) per Games.Four of those were won by Michelle Smith in Atlanta 1996, who was then subsequently suspended for two years for tampering with a urine sample, and five were won in boxing.

At the top of the table, New Zealand has won 47 medals in the same period. Slovenia, Lithuania and Croatia have only been competing as nations since Barcelona 1992 but have won 15, 16 and 17 respectively. Slovakia has won 20 since 1996.

In 2008, Ireland took the fewest athletes to Beijing and won medals in just one sport. Each of the other eight medalled in at least three, with Norway successful in seven and Denmark in six.

The comparisons are based on population and financial backing for athletes.