Review
A magnificent look at this year's Irish hopefuls in Beijing
- Ireland’s Olympians, Beijing and Beyond
- Collins Press
Ireland’s Olympians, Beijing and Beyond
The ultimate guide to Irish participation in the 26th modern Olympic Games is provided by RTE journalist and elite junior coach Niall O’Flynn. Presented in glorious technicolour, this hardback not only analyses Irish hopes in Beijing, but looks at the prospects for the London Games in 2012. One of the main hopes is that Ireland might be in a position to compete in a team sport for the first time by sending an Under-23 soccer team.
Ireland’s Olympians delves into much deeper issues, such as whether or not the sporting system in Ireland has helped or hindered our athletes? A consequence of this is the fact that most of Ireland’s top athletes live and train overseas, and O’Flynn’s statistical arguments prove that Irish Government funding could be much more favourable towards the Irish Olympic effort.
A touch of authenticity is added by Ronnie Delany’s foreword; the only Irish athlete to win a gold medal at the games admits that he wasn’t among the favourites to win in Melbourne in 1956. Drawing comparisons with the current Irish team he acknowledges his preparations were thorough and complete which contributed to his great success, much like this magnificent book.
