In these days of specialist columns, player analysis and exclusive access, there is an interesting section in the Olympic Council of Ireland's legally binding Athlete's Agreement.

Under the heading Broadcasting and Photography, rule 6.2.1 states: "It is a breech of the Olympic Charter and accordingly this agreement for any team member to permit his or her name to be used as author of any article or column appearing in the media at any time during the games and/or enter into any contractual arrangement or understanding whereby the person concerned provides exclusive interviews with any element of the media during the games."

Presumably the International body like to keep the games . . . er . . . strictly amateur.