Irish Hopes in the Beijing Olympics
Great Optimism Surrounds the Irish Olympic Team Ahead of the Games
Jul 31, 2008
The Irish Olympic Team was announced on Thursday July 10, and given the personnel involved,will be hoping for some success in Beijing. The Olympic Council of Ireland President Pat Hickey said that the competitiors would "represent Ireland on the world stage with pride and passion". The team has performers in a range of sports who look at least capable of reaching the finals of their events, and with a little bit of fortune, a number of medals might be on the horizon.
Confidence
Further additions to the team are possible and those hoping to achieve late call-ups include the Men's 4x400m relay squad who are still chasing the Beijing qualifying mark. Confidence is high in the camp; and while Ireland's recent Olympic successes have been limited, there are a few candidates in 2008 who will compete with the very best in the world:
Athletics
Robert Heffernan (Men's 20km walk): This is Robert's 3rd Olympic Games, and was the highest placed Irish athlete at the recent World Championships in Osaka, Japan. He achieved Olympic qualification at a Grand Prix meeting at Shenzhen, China.
Paul Hession(Men's 100 and 200 metres): The fastest man in Irish sprint history is the current Irish record holder from 60 metres to 200 metres. A silver medallist in the 2003 World University Games, he is the first Irishman ever to reach the sprints final of a major championship. Paul was selected as Ireland's track athlete of the year for 2007.
Derval O'Rourke (Women's 100 metre hurdles): The Dublin City University based athlete is challenging for gold in her second olympic games. She was the first Irish woman to win a World Indoor Championships, while in 2006 she won silver at the European Championships in Athens. Derval is based with the Leevale Athletics club.
Eileen O'Keefe (Women's Hammer): Selected as Ireland's athlete of the year in 2007, Eileen is the first Irishwoman to break 70 metres in the hammer event and took the silver medal at the World University Games. The County Kilkenny athlete has now thrown a national record of 73.21 metres.
Boxing
Paddy Barnes(Light Flyweight): Paddy was the first Irish boxer to qualify for the Beijing Olympics, winning his spot at the World Championships in Chicago in November. Aged 21, he boxes out of the renowned Holy Family Club in Belfast. If Paddy gets a favorable draw in his division then he could go all the way.
Cycling
Nicholas Roche (Men's Road Race): Nicholas is a member of the renowned Credit Agricole professional racing team in France. His father Stephen is a former Olympian, (Moscow, 1980); world champion and a winner of the Tour de France. A major prospect, Nicholas has played important roles at the World Championships and the Giro d'Italia.
Equestrian
Niall Griffin (Eventing): Ireland's Olympic flag-bearer at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Niall has achieved many high placings in competitions including top-threes at Punchestown.
Swimming
Andrew Bree(Men's 200 metres Breaststroke): Andrew was the first Irish swimmer to win a medal at the European Swimming Championships. He is the Irish record holder at 2.13.14 and has competed at the Commonwealth Games and at the US Nationals. He is currently based at the University of Tennessee.
Women's Triathlon
Emma Davis: The Bangor athlete has been getting impressive results on the international circuit in the past 18 months. Emma is making history in Beijing as Ireland's first ever Olympic Triathlon competitior.
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