Only the best 50 for Beijing

IRELAND may not have their biggest representation at next year’s Olympic Games in Beijing but it will be the best prepared and most qualified team to compete at that level.

That was the message from the Chef de Mission, Dermot Henihan, at yesterday’s briefing held in the plush surroundings of Olympic House, overlooking Howth Yacht Club.

Qualification will not come easy said Pat Hickey, President of the Olympic Council of Ireland, insisting that athletes and swimmers will have to achieve A-standards before they can be put forward for a place in the team alongside the competitors from other sports who must go through the competitions and criteria set down by their respective sports.