New organisation 'to create sporting champions'
A new sports body is to be set up to improve the performances of Ireland’s elite athletes at the Olympics and other major international sporting events, it is confirmed today.
Former president of the Gaelic Athletics Association (GAA) Sean Kelly was appointed executive chairman of the Irish Institute of Sport, which is aiming to create sporting champions for Ireland.
Announcing the establishment of the new body, Sports Minister John O’Donoghue, said: “The Institute of Sport is an integral part of Ireland’s sporting infrastructure and it will make an immense contribution to the ongoing process of ensuring that our elite athletes are given every resource and opportunity to enhance their performances at major international events.
“It will play a key role in preparing our athletes for the Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and in particular for the London 2012 Olympic Games.”
