Olympics chief feard IRA-inspired demonstration

A top Olympian feared Irish athletes competing in the boycotted 1980 Moscow Games would stage an IRA-inspired demonstration.

Ken Ryan, chef de mission of the Ireland team, told diplomats he was also worried that competitors would go on a drinking binge in the Russian capital due to stress.

Fifty-nine countries stayed away from the Games that year after the US demanded a boycott over the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

Taoiseach Charles Haughey was slow to declare the official Irish position but ultimately backed the White House amid fears of damage to trade links.

State papers released under the 30-year rule reveal that Mr Haughey’s government felt that sanctioning Irish participation would not help world peace.

However, the Irish Olympic Committee defied the Taoiseach and sent one of its strongest ever teams with 48 athletes and medal hopes in boxing, cycling and on the track.

Mr Ryan, who marched alone at the opening ceremony without the Tricolour but carrying a white flag with the five-ring Olympic symbol, made his fears known in a meeting with an Irish Ambassador.

Detailing issues exercising him, he said he was worried about “the possibility of athletes organising an IRA-inspired demonstration in the Olympic village”.

He said there were concerns that athletes would release tension after their events by going on a binge and that umpires and starters might try to put competitors on edge by giving unclear instructions.

The 1980 Ireland team had a number of realistic medal prospects including athletes Eamonn Coghlan and John Treacy, a young Barry McGuigan and Stephen Roche. They disappointed but the team secured two silver medals – sailors David Wilkins and Jamie Wilkinson in the Flying Dutchman class.

Mr Ryan said the Olympic Committee supported the Government’s stance and was going to Moscow “purely from the sporting point of view”.

He also said the Committee “had its eyes wide open” amid concerns that the Soviets would attempt to exploit Ireland’s unofficial attendance for political purposes.

Mr Ryan said athletes did not want to attend receptions organised by the Irish Embassy or events planned by the Soviets.

Two athletes failed exhaustive psychological and physical assessments before the Games.

The Committee also had to raise 150,000 Irish pounds to send athletes to Moscow as the Government would not pay the usual grant.

The Committee went on to appoint a Soviet as team attache. A foreign affairs official pointed out that this had been done in a bid not to breach protocol but said it was naive. Ireland was the only country to take this line.