Bobsleigh duo staying cool, says OCI chief

OLYMPIC Council of Ireland (OCI) chief executive Stephen Martin is confident that the Irish competitors will not be affected by the bobsleigh controversy which has dominated Irish preparations for the Winter Games in Vancouver.

“What’s that saying ‘there is no such thing as bad publicity?’ The profile of winter sports certainly has been to the fore over the last week or so and that has to be a good thing,” said Martin.

“We have a very strong representation at these Olympics with six athletes qualified from four disciplines. The onus now is that everyone performs to the best of their abilities.”

The Irish have seen off one threat to their bobsleigh place from the Australian Olympic committee and Olympic chiefs are confident that a Brazilian appeal will also fall on deaf ears. A decision on the latter is expected this morning. But Martin thinks the Irish athletes are somewhat insulated from the coverage.

“When you are in the Olympic Village, you are not aware of all the hype and activity and headlines back home.

“The bobsleighers Aoife and Claire have been out there for a few weeks and have been going very well in practice sessions. It looks a very difficult track and hopefully this extra work will stand to them. The other factor in their favour is they are not in competition for over a week (February, 23) and that will allow a lot of this to die down.

“I’m sure the exhilaration of the opening ceremony tonight will quickly get them focused for competition.”

And his personal wish for the games? “The chief ambition is that all our athletes compete safely. All will have their personal ambitions and targets. Hopefully they can achieve those.”