Committee Reports::Report No. 08 - Ireland and the Olympics: From Athens to London::01 November, 2005::Report


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Committee Reports > List of Committees > Joint > 2005 > Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs > Report No. 08 - Ireland and the Olympics: From Athens to London

TITHE AN OIREACHTAIS

AN COMHCHOISTE UM GHNÓTHAÍ EALAÍON, SPÓIRT, TURASÓIREACHTA, POBAIL, TUAITHE AGUS GAELTACHTA

An tOchtú Tuarascáil

Éire agus na Cluichí Oilimpeacha: Ón Aithin go Londain

HOUSES OF THE OIREACHTAS

JOINT COMMITTEE ON ARTS, SPORT, TOURISM, COMMUNITY, RURAL AND GAELTACHT AFFAIRS

Eighth Report

Ireland and the Olympics: From Athens to London

Samhain 2005

November 2005

CONTENTS

Acknowledgement

Foreword

Recommendations of the Joint Committee

Appendix 1:

Report of Agenda Consulting: Ireland and the Olympics — From Athens to London.

Appendix 2:

The support framework for Sport in Ireland.

Appendix 3:

Joint Committee Questionnaire

Appendix 4:

The International Carding System

Appendix 5:

Functions of the Sports Council of Ireland

Appendix 6:

Athletes Commission Terms of Reference

Appendix 7:

Athens Review Recommendations

Appendix 8:

Membership of the Joint Committee

Appendix 9:

Orders of Reference of the Joint Committee

Acknowledgement

The Joint Committee wishes to thank all those who participated in this study, the Irish competitors in particular, and to express its appreciation of the role of Agenda Consulting.

FOREWORD BY THE CHAIRMAN

The name of Ireland in international sports has been much besmirched over the past decade. From the Michelle Smith affair to the fiasco of the gold medal that was not at the Athen’s Olympiad, Irish sport has been notorious rather than noteworthy and the 2004 Games were also plagued by other claims, counterclaims and recrimination. In a phrase all was not well in the Irish camp.

Parallel to the significant funding made available to our elite sportspeople there has always been the argument for “sport for all” for lots of social, educational and health reasons. My Committee agreed to look at both arguments and engaged Agenda Consulting to research the subject and their work provides the foundation for this report. In a nutshell the findings provide for the continuance of elite funding and for an expansion of sport for all as supported by the State.

In terms of the “Olympics Review” aspect of the report the Joint Committee were initially targeting Beijing and how our approach and performance could be improved in that timeframe and more in keeping with the internationally accepted timeframe needed for successful participation. London was then awarded the 2012 Games and this has changed everything as the Joint Committee is of the opinion that this event will be the largest single boost to Irish sport in the foreseeable future. Irish sportspeople and potential participants will be exposed to the full glare of Olympic sport at close proximity. There will be 24 hour media coverage and indeed the Irish will have direct access to the Games at no greater cost than the price of an admission ticket. The demonstration and the inspirational effect will be huge and a new generation of Irish sportspeople will be born eager to match, if not surpass Sonia O’Sullivan, Éamon Coughlan and John Tracey to name but a few and we must be ready for that challenge.

However in the interim Beijing beckons and a number of important recommendations are put forward in the hope of an improved performance. The Joint Committee feels that they will facilitate a more joined, cohesive campaign under the chairpersonship of the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism.

The emerging debate on the importance of diet and physical activity for young people copperfastens the support of the Joint Committee for sporting activity for all and the Exchequer funding required to underpin it.

Finally we would do well to compete fairly in Beijing rather than to find ourselves in an epic of farcical proportions which was the outcome of Athens.

Cecilia Keaveney T.D.

Chairman

November 2005

RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE

The Joint Committee recognises the primacy of the participants in the Games as being paramount and in keeping with the Olympic ideals.

1.That the Department of Arts Sport and Tourism establish and Chair a steering committee to co-ordinate and manage the 2012 Olympic Roadmap.

2.That the ISC immediately prepare a 2012 Roadmap for planning up to and including the London Olympics.

3.That all support agencies develop an agreed set of performance indicators in line with the 2012 Roadmap subject to approval and monitoring of the Steering Committee.

4.That the ‘vacuum’ situation surrounding the staffing arrangements in the NCTC be addressed as a priority by the SCI and NCTC.

5.The Joint Committee views the immediate establishment of the Institute of Sport as a critical element in the high performance strategy and one which should play an essential role in the preparation for the Beijing and London Olympiads. It is recommended that the ISC establish the Institute of Sport as a number one priority in its 2006-2008 Strategic Plan.

6.That the establishment of a direct funding link between the SCI and carded athletes should be actively considered with a view to delivering a simpler and more effective system for athletes.

7.That the SCI define performance targets for all support agencies receiving grants as a basis for measuring value for money and for measuring progress along the proposed 2012 Roadmap.

8.That the International Carding Scheme provide 3- 4 year financial commitments to athletes of 2012 potential based on their performance pathway early in their careers.

9.That agreement should be reached at Olympic Performance Committee level regarding closing dates for Olympic qualifications in consultation with the athletes.

10.That the OCI prepare and submit operational proposals for discussion with the OPC on how to define the ‘best of the B standard’ athletes for inclusion on the Olympic Team.

11.That the OCI introduce a new quality control mechanism to the selection process for all Olympic support team members, in consultation with the team members, to optimise performance of individual athletes, the details of which are to be agreed with the OPC.

12.That the ISC extend the International Carding Scheme to target funds at coaches working with athletes on the carding scheme.

13.That the ISC develop a pilot mentoring programme for previously carded athletes with a view to facilitating knowledge transfer to new athletes.

14.The OCI should develop annual performance measures for the Athletes Commission.

15.That the SCI undertake annual independent research to measure the satisfaction rating of athletes in terms of Olympic preparation planning.

16.That the areas for improvement identified in chapter 2 be reviewed biannually by support agencies particularly drug use and the use of dietary supplements.

17.That the SCI increase its primary schools funding of sports development significantly over its 2006-2008 strategic plan and that sports partnerships be immediately rolled out throughout the country.

18.That SCI co-ordinate a new secondary schools Physical Education initiative in association with the Department of Education and Science and the Department of Health and Children to promote the principle of Sport for All.

19.The co-ordinating committee in consultation with athletes and support agencies prepare a comprehensive strategy for the development and management of ‘team spirit’, embodying national pride spanning from 2005 until the return of the team from Beijing.