Connolly builds for the future
Former sprinter David Connolly is taking the long route to Winter Olympic glory as he prepares to represent Ireland in the men’s skeleton.
The 25-year-old from Wicklow is one of the four-strong Irish team selected with the specific intention of building towards the Vancouver Winter Games in four years’ time.
Interest stirred by Clifton Wrottesley’s unexpected fourth place in the skeleton event in Salt Lake City, the Olympic Council of Ireland targeted Connolly as a natural successor.
Four years ago Connolly clambered head-first aboard a skeleton sled for the first time to see if he had got what it takes. “It was terrifying – absolutely terrifying,” he said.
“In fact it was almost too quick to be terrifying. They just lay me on a sled, kicked me off and said, enjoy the ride as much as you can. I had no idea where the hell I was.
“But when I got off at the end I thought it was really good fun. The adrenaline died down and I looked at it more intellectually and realised it was the kind of thing I could do.”
Connolly, who graduated in computer science at University College Dublin last year, has been funded as a full-time athlete for the past five months and is reaping the benefits.
He believes his experience among the world’s best in Turin will stand him in good stead for 2010 when the Irish hope they will name a squad with medal opportunities.
Connolly added: “Success is not achieved overnight and we have not come to this Olympics just to do well at this Olympics.
“The aim for this part of the cycle was really just to qualify for these Games. Now we’ve done that we can build upon it and maybe next time start looking at the podium.”
Connolly’s big day comes on Friday at the fast and dangerous Cesana Pariol track which has already seen some high-profile crashes in the luge competition earlier this week.
Other Irish representatives in Turin are alpine skiiers Thomas Foley and Kirsten McGarry, and Norway-based cross-country expert Rory Morrish, who competes in the men’s 15km classical.
The inspiration behind the programme and Ireland’s increased interest in the Winter Games, Wrottesley no longer competes but is back in the thick of things as the team’s Chef de Mission.
Wrottesley – full name Lord Clifton Hugh Lancelot de Verdin Wrottesley – is an hereditary peer whose story and subsequent fourth place made headlines in Salt Lake City.
Wrottesley has led a major funding drive for the Irish Winter Olympians in the hope that their full-time commitment to their sports will pay long-term dividends.
Wrottesley said: “The idea was to get young talent and try to nurture it over two Winter Olympiad cycles looking towards Vancouver in 2010.
“In terms of expectations for Turin it is about getting the experience and trying to build on the last two or three years.
“We are no longer Winter Olympic tourists. The interest in the Winter Olympics in Ireland is four or five times what it was four years ago and we are approaching it in a very professional manner.”
