Embattled Pat Hickey faces fight of his life

Pat Hickey, president of the Irish Olympic Committee who stepped side temporarily yesterday, was described recently as “Teflon Man” but he will need the slipperiness of an eel to slide out of his latest brush with controversy.

At risk are his national presidency but equally his presidency of the European National Olympic Committee, his membership of the International Olympic Committee, his honorary presidency of the Irish Judo Federation and his role as founding father of the European Games.

In other word, the pyramid of sporting offices Hickey has shrewdly and ruthlessly built up in the 40 years since he was merely a black belt at judo competing for Ireland.