Government not to blame, insists minister

Sports Minister Michael Ring has denied the Government is to blame for the mess surrounding the failure to mount a major welcome home event for victorious Olympians.

Mr Ring insisted his department was ready to part fund such a public celebration, but lack of communication among organisers and athletes has scuppered the idea.

“We had to respect the wishes of the athletes and the wish of the athletes is that they don’t want a homecoming and I respect that.