Olympic berth for Jezierski

Ireland secured its 50th qualifier for the Olympic Games yesterday when Polish-born Andrej Jezierski ensured his place by finishing in the top two qualifying positions in the canoe sprint at the final qualifying tournament in Poznan yesterday.

Jezierski only recently gained an Irish passport, thus allowing him to compete for his adopted country.

He has won five medals at the World Championships in canoe sprint events for Poland in the past, but since moving to Ballincollig in Cork with his family, he has excelled at shorter distances such as yesterday’s 200m sprint.

Jezierski has been training at the National Rowing Centre in Farran Wood, Co Cork, and is a member of Lee Valley rowing club, which is based at the facility.