Olympic chiefs back Mansfield in selection findings

THE Irish team for next year’s Olympic Games in Athens should include one of the country’s strongest medal prospects after the Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) ruled that the selection procedure for sailing’s Star Class shouldn’t be altered.

The Irish Sailing Association (ISA) changed selection procedure for Athens earlier this year, after deciding the original process was generating unhealthy competition among Ireland’s top two sailors, Mark Mansfield and Max Treacy.

Initially, if Mansfield, currently number three in the world, was ranked in the top eight and Treacy, presently 15, was ranked outside the top 16 after this September’s World Championship, Mansfield would qualify automatically for Athens.

However, earlier this year, the ISA decided Ireland’s representative should be decided by the results of three

international regattas between January and April next year. Mansfield objected to the OCI, who have now upheld his complaint.

“I am happy that the Olympic Council of Ireland, after completing its review, has upheld our interpretation of the selection process,” said Mansfield.

“I am also pleased the OCI believed the changes which the ISA were endeavouring to implement were found to be inequitable. I hope this will be the end of the issue and we can again concentrate fully on our sailing.”

While Mansfield feels vindicated, the OCI report indicated one competitor’s Sports Council funding was threatened unless he agreed to the new selection system. Mansfield confirmed that particular competitor wasn’t him. Regardless, the OCI want the ISA to carry out a full investigation into the matter.

“A situation was allowed to develop whereby the withholding of grant aid was sought to influence a potential Olympic competitor. The OCI considers this a most serious issue,” the OCI allege in their official report into the complaint.

The OCI report stated: “It emerged that an athlete or competitor Star Class, was unduly pressurised to sign an agreement on the basis that grant aid allocated from the Irish Sports Council funds to the athlete would be withheld in the absence of the athlete signing an agreement.

“The interference warrants an independent inquiry from within the ISA and disciplinary action if it is found necessary or required,” the OCI concluded.

With regard to the main issue, the OCI believed there was reason for Mansfield to feel discriminated against, but because no athlete had been nominated or selected to represent Ireland at the Olympics, there was no need to intervene in the matter. The ISA were unreachable for comment yesterday.