“A straight-talking Aussie with a big heart” – that’s how the Irish team’s Chef de Mission for the Tokyo Olympics was described yesterday by Peter Sherrard, CEO of the Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI).

This week I’m sharing my take on the good, the bad and the ugly of 2017.

PAT HICKEY considered quitting as Olympic Council of Ireland president five years ago following a campaign to oust him from the role.

THE Athletes Commission, set up to give international sports people a greater role in the affairs of the Olympic Council of Ireland, has been disbanded by the executive council of the OCI.

The Athletes Commission have unanimously endorsed Richard Burrows ahead of Pat Hickey for the presidency of the Olympic Council of Ireland.