Hickey says OCI will consider extending deadline for qualification

THE Olympic Council of Ireland may extend their qualification deadlines for the Athens Games, according to OCI President Pat Hickey.

The original cut-off point was set for midnight on Saturday, however, the situation will be reviewed by the OCI Executive Committee tomorrow night following representation from a number of bodies.

"Representatives of the AAI met with our representatives on Monday night and they put forward a very good case on behalf of athletes who are close to the qualifying standard and could still achieve them," said Mr Hickey. "And just today we had a letter from Swim Ireland making a case for their members who are still looking for qualifying standards."