Team Ireland Athlete's Commission call for exemptions for Olympic athletes

The Team Ireland Athlete's Commission has today called for minor exemptions to be made for Tokyo focused athletes in order to support their return to sport.

They are reportedly requesting travel exemptions for a small number of Olympic athletes so that Sport Ireland and NGBs can reopen the Sport Ireland Campus, Sport Ireland Institute and National training centres around the country for small groups of athletes.

Two time Olympian and World Champion rower Sanita Puspure said if the restrictions remain in place it could absolutely be the difference between winning a medal or not.

Chair of the Olympic Federation of Ireland Athletes’ Commission Shane O’Connor said; "We are looking for support to allow Olympic athletes train and compete on a level playing field.

"For some athletes not only are they watching their counterparts in other countries returning to national team training, they are watching other Irish athletes return, athletes competing in the same sport and on the same teams, just because they live marginally closer to a venue.

"We are talking about athletes who are aiming to be in peak condition in a matter of months, who may still need to qualify and who will be fighting for medals at the Olympic Games next year.

"To date countries like Italy, Croatia, The Netherlands, Spain, Denmark and Belgium have all allowed a prioritised return for Olympic athletes, and Great Britain have recently launched their return for elite athletes – our elite athletes, our medal potentials are now at risk of becoming uncompetitive.

"We need to recognise that the return of elite sport training is essential ahead of any return to competitive sport itself. In Ireland the plan for a return to sport for elite athletes has not yet been addressed.

"With professional and experienced staff, health protocols and monitoring in place at venues, these small group activities are low risk.

"We know the support is there from the OFI, Sport Ireland and NGBs but as long as there are travel restrictions in place this small cohort of athletes will be negatively impacted on the international stage."