Athletes ‘met all’ Beijing targets

THE targets set post-Athens were realised and, in some cases, exceeded according to the Irish Sports Council’s review of the preparation of athletes and their subsequent performances in the Beijing Olympics.

In the four year cycle leading up to the 2008 Games almost €32 million was invested in the Olympic team and the Beijing Review which was published yesterday said the Irish Sports Council got good value for money with the third best ever medal haul behind Melbourne 1956 and Atlanta 1996 where Michelle Smith won four gold medals.

But there was a warning from the independent consultant, Dr Neil Tunnicliffe of Wharton Consulting, who was employed to assist in preparing the review, that the current level of funding must be maintained if the same level of success is to be achieved in London.