Lack of funding ‘harsh reality’ for athletes

Two-time Olympic race-walker Colin Griffin believes a lack of, or inappropriate use of funding from the Irish Sports Council and Athletics Ireland, subsequently, is a contributory factor in athletes deciding to retire prematurely.

Griffin was himself controversially denied funding this year, but an appeal has seen him get “something” that “is not ideal.” And despite having qualified for the World Championships later this year in Moscow, he cited the case of recently retired Thomas Chamney as an example of an athlete being forced into early retirement because of a lack of funds.

“No one is going to make a living out of the sport unless you’re winning medals and not many Irish athletes are in that situation,” admitted the Leitrim man. “You can only fund yourself for so long without getting anything in return and when you’ve a bad season with injury or illness you can find yourself being dropped from funding and not having what you need and it’s a difficult one.