Governing body defends ‘athlete-focused, coach-driven’ grants

Athletics Ireland chiefs last night launched a stout defence of how they distribute their High Performance budget.

The move follows hard-hitting comments from former world champion Derval O’Rourke in her Irish Examiner column yesterday where she questioned the breakdown of spending by the governing body.

In a statement released to the Irish Examiner, Athletics Ireland said that: “the core objective of the Athletics Ireland High Performance Plan is to have more Irish athletes winning on the world stage.

“The plan, which was published in 2013, was created to develop an athlete-focused, coach-driven, high performance centred system which provides athletes with world class support services and environments to enable the athlete to focus solely on performance. The creation of these High Performance Systems which is international best practice will allow for more consistent delivery of performances at major championships and create more medal opportunities. Investment is made in those athletes who provide the greatest opportunity of delivering performances and medals now and into the future. The High Performance Budget is completely athlete centred with a total investment of €879,000.

“This accounts for 80% of the High Performance Budget and is allocated to the athlete directly through cash grants and indirectly through support services, travel to competition and training camps.”

O’Rourke was critical of the estimated €200,000 spend on salaries of those charged with running the High Performance unit.

Athletics Ireland responded by saying: “Having a High Performance Director and support staff is a requirement of running a high performance programme and is a prerequisite for receiving support from the Irish Sport Council and is budgeted for accordingly.

“The Cash Grants account for €348,000 of spend; €168,000 for podium, world class and international athletes with €180,000 invested in 76 development and emerging talent athletes.

“€258,000 is provided for support services for athletes covering medical, physiotherapist and soft tissue services in addition to the services of physiologists, nutritionists and strength and conditioning experts. In addition to rehabilitation surgery if needed.

“€213,000 is allocated for travel and accommodation for majorinternational competition from youth through to senior athletes.

“Over €60,000 is provided to enable athletes to attend altitude and warm weather camps and to travel to key competitions which are seen as integral in preparation for major championships. “Athletics Ireland was named by the Irish Sports Council as one of the three sporting bodies deemed ready to transition to taking ownership of their own carding process and Athletics Ireland is fully accountable to the Irish Sports Council on spend allocation in the High Performance Budget.”

Meanwhile, two Kenyan world champions are set to lead the international invasion at this year’s Spar Great Ireland Run. World cross-country champion Japhet Korir and women’s 3,000m steeplechase champion Milcah Chemos will both race in the Phoenix Park on Sunday April 6.