OLYMPIC Council of Ireland officials yesterday assured the Minister for Sport, Bernard Allen, that there will be no repetition of the disputes which flawed the recent Games in Atlanta.

Just a week after BLE had been called to account, the OCI was summoned to the Minister's office to explain their version of the row over the apparel worn by members of the track and field team.

Allen told them he was perturbed over the manner in which an internal problem had been debated in front of an international audience, and sought assurances that the problem would not recur. Expressing his personal disgust at the public wrangling, he reiterated an earlier statement that in the event of litigation ensuing between the parties, he would not permit public monies to be used to fund such action.

Even more pointedly, he reminded the OCI that State funding for the various sporting organisations was being revised and that the 1997 allocations would be made in line with policies recommended by the strategy group of the Sports Council.

The assurances sought by the Minister were duly delivered by the OCI president, Pat Hickey, who promised that the controversy over branded competition wear would not be repeated in Sydney in four years time.

"The International Olympic Committee, at its congress in Atlanta, defined the rules regarding competition wear, ensuring that no doubt will arise again about the wearing of competition gear or apparel," said Hickey.

"The OCI, as the controlling body for Olympic sport in Ireland, is very aware of the Minister's very reasonable concern on the competition wear issue and will ensure that any further conflict is avoided."

Hickey said that the OCI was pleased with the outcome of the meeting and that many important issues had been discussed in a very positive manner. He reminded the Minister that Ireland had finished 27th of 197 countries in the medals table in Atlanta and said that this derived from the support given by the Government through the Minister for Sport over the last four years.

"After adjustment for population size, Ireland came second in the world, outperforming many major countries," said Hickey.

He said that no further meetings were planned with the Minister on the competition wear issue but added that the Council would be preparing a detailed submission of their plans for the Sydney Games within the next few months.