View Full Version : The Olympics
Torn-Ado
16/08/2007, 4:39 PM
is on next year as you all know.
And the Irish equestrian team failed to qualify. For a country with a proud tradition in all matters of an equine nature, that really is p!ss poor.
Doubt there will be any medals coming home from Beijing.
Aberdonian Stu
16/08/2007, 5:24 PM
And the Irish equestrian team failed to qualify. For a country with a proud tradition in all matters of an equine nature, that really is p!ss poor.
Wasn't that the problem at the last games?:D
Seriously though I think it doesn't look terribly promising. Our performances in general are awful.
Rowing is always an outside shot but it needs a lot to go right, ditto on the sailing front.
The British model, where they focused on events they could win, is one to follow. Minority sports like sailing and cycling (specifically non-road racing) were given a disproportionately favourable funding boost for their size over the past decade and it has paid off by delivering the UK's two best medal hauls since 1948 (when they hosted them) in the past two summer games.
Countries like Denmark and Finland, who are both nearer Ireland size wise, tend to do the same and it pays off.
The Finns are a notable example as like Ireland sports that aren't in the summer games are big in Finland. Yes most of the sports that are big in Finland that don't fit into the summer games do fit into the winter games but the point is that they still bring home medals in the summer games in spite of this.
And the Irish equestrian team failed to qualify. For a country with a proud tradition in all matters of an equine nature, that really is p!ss poor.
The eventing team and dressage will be there, as will individual show jumpers. FOr sucha proud tradition we've never got an olympic medal, had only 2 world championship medals and last year were relegated form the top league.
Doubt there will be any medals coming home from Beijing.
Twice in the last 40 years have we had more than one medallist
We're a tiny country with no sporting infrastucture. The only sports to receive significant funding in this country in the last 10 years has been GAA and Horse Racing.
BTW I'm an Olympics geek...
ifk101
17/08/2007, 7:50 AM
I think Ireland is quite competitive in athletics considering our top facilities are a barn in Nenagh and the "picturesque" Morton Stadium.
The difference between Ireland and the Scandinavian countries is that sport betting is state-controlled and all monies generated via sport betting is pumped back into sporting facilities. And considering the general tax level is much higher in Scandinavia than Ireland, there is much more governmental money available for sporting facilities. Additionally our government choses to prioritise funding for certain "sports" - I'm not sure if horse and greyhound racing fall under government sport spending - they shouldn't IMO.
When you think of the money pumped directly & indirectly into Irish Horses (other things pumped into them for thats a different story) the performances in the Olympics have been very poor.
I don't think any records will be set in the out door events in the next Olympics unless the athletes are wearing masks. BBC - Olympics Smog Fears (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/6949483.stm)
beautifulrock
17/08/2007, 10:42 AM
We have a few decent boxers, quite a bit of money has gone into this over the last 5 years.
We have a few decent boxers, quite a bit of money has gone into this over the last 5 years.
The boxers have delivered results in a massively competitive sport (qulaifying for the Olympics is a big achievement) so they deserve funding as well as the fact its a bigger sport in disadvantaged areas.
It must be very expensive to send horses & riders half way across the world when they can't delivery unless the horses on illegal substances.
Torn-Ado
17/08/2007, 10:54 AM
We have a few decent boxers, quite a bit of money has gone into this over the last 5 years.
Thats the only sport in which we have a slight hope of getting a medal. Not too sure if there will be many Irish qualifiers but if they do, then there is always a decent chance unlike the other sports.
Dodge
17/08/2007, 11:22 AM
It must be very expensive to send horses & riders half way across the world when they can't delivery unless the horses on illegal substances.
bar the world, euro and olympic championships most of the riders pay for themselves (hence all their horses having company names in them...)
We've medal contendors in shooting, rowing, boxing, athletics and showjumping (Jessica Kuerten will go as an individual). As ever these are only contendors and luck etc will play a part. In Boxing Darren Sutherland is ranked in the top 5 in the world but if he faces the Cuban or Russian in the first round he's likely to go out. However they could fight each other and Darren could well make the final. Kenneth Egan is another legitimate medal contendor in boxing.
If we get one medal it will be a succesful olympics
Torn-Ado
17/08/2007, 11:40 AM
bar the world, euro and olympic championships most of the riders pay for themselves (hence all their horses having company names in them...)
We've medal contendors in shooting, rowing, boxing, athletics and showjumping (Jessica Kuerten will go as an individual). As ever these are only contendors and luck etc will play a part. In Boxing Darren Sutherland is ranked in the top 5 in the world but if he faces the Cuban or Russian in the first round he's likely to go out. However they could fight each other and Darren could well make the final. Kenneth Egan is another legitimate medal contendor in boxing.
If we get one medal it will be a succesful olympics
Whos our medal contenders in athletics? Derval O Rourkes form this year is poor and Alastair Cragg is average at best. The most in form athlete is Paul Hession but there is no hope of a medal there.
Dodge
17/08/2007, 11:44 AM
O'Rourke is running quicker this year than ever before. her whole season is based around the world championship. Up until last year she hadn't ran below 13s now she's regularly hitting 12.8x so a 12.6x time in the championship is likely (and that is definitely medal contention) Eileen O'Keefe in the ladies hammer is also likely to reach the final.
Cragg and Hession have no chance (although a final is not unobtainable for Hession)
Aberdonian Stu
17/08/2007, 12:12 PM
I've been impressed with O'Rourke's development and she's definitely in with a very good shout of making the Olympic final but given that the Americans are currently strong in her event, as well the better Kallur sister, a medal will be a tough ask. I wouldn't rule her out though.
The problem for the boxers is qualifying as they really need a bit of luck in that respect. Only 8 European boxers go to the Olympics in each weight class and the competition for places is extraordinarily intense. Any who make it to Beijing have a shot but again it's an uphill task.
Dodge
17/08/2007, 12:16 PM
Qualifying for the boxing has changed. Everybody who reaches the last 8 in this years world championships (held in Chicago) will qualify. Then there'll be regional qualifiers.
Aberdonian Stu
17/08/2007, 12:28 PM
Oh really, how many does Europe get on top of the worlds places?
Dodge
17/08/2007, 12:35 PM
I think its still about 8 in total*. Its just different now. We have 4/5 potential qualifiers in boxing. 3 would good.
We should have 3/4 rowing squads there. Outside chance of medals in 2 events. (The lightweight 4 have had a terrible season after previously being favourites to medal)
* Just checked and it varies from weight to weight. 7 in heavy and superheavy. 8 in Light Fly to Feather. 9 From Light to light heavy
soccerc
17/08/2007, 12:46 PM
FOr sucha proud tradition we've never got an olympic medal, had only 2 world championship medals and last year were relegated form the top league.
BTW I'm an Olympics geek...
Have to disagree, there is an equestrian medal from the 1988 games in the Olympic records.
Dodge
17/08/2007, 12:55 PM
Not representing Ireland there isn't. We didn't win any medals at all in 1988
Oh and I was wrong. We've only won one medal at World Championship level.
soccerc
17/08/2007, 1:00 PM
Not representing Ireland there isn't. We didn't win any medals at all in 1988
Oh and I was wrong. We've only won one medal at World Championship level.
There was a gold medal winner for Ireland at the Seoul Summer games in 1988. It's obscure, but is part of the IOC records:)
*sigh*
if its not included in the medal table it doesn't count. even the art ones from yesteryear
beautifulrock
17/08/2007, 1:07 PM
Not representing Ireland there isn't. We didn't win any medals at all in 1988
Yes 1988 was a terrible Olympics for Ireland although for various reason one of the more memorable in recent time. We have the Ben Johnson situation, Flo Jo (now deceased) winning the 100 & 200m in world record times that still stand. Greg Louganes splitting his head against a diving board knowing he had AIDS but not telling anyone. I know the virus cannot be spread via water but still and finally Roy Jones Jnr losing on point to a South Korean, a very very dodgy call. Oh Kristian Otto won six gold medals in swimming as well.
soccerc
17/08/2007, 1:08 PM
*sigh*
if its not included in the medal table it doesn't count. even the art ones from yesteryear
It does count, it's an Olympic Gold Medal issued by the IOC for the 1988 Summer games. It is recognised by both the OCI and IOC. :)
Provide the links JB (http://www.olympic.org/uk/games/past/table_uk.asp?OLGT=1&OLGY=1988)
It does count, it's an Olympic Gold Medal issued by the IOC for the 1988 Summer games. It is recognised by both the OCI and IOC. :)
Are you claiming the horse was Irish? :confused:
soccerc
17/08/2007, 2:48 PM
Are you claiming the horse was Irish? :confused:
No.
As I said, it's an obscure gold medal issued by the IOC to Ireland but it has got an equine aspect to it.
Dodge, I will dig out the official press release from the time.As it was long before the internet it is a hard copy.
It is listed in the book issued by the OCI some years back and again Id have to root around the attic to get at it.
Like I said soccerc, makeyup ones don't count :)
As I said, it's an obscure gold medal issued by the IOC to Ireland but it has got an equine aspect to it.
OCI President Hickey given an honourary medal? :D
soccerc
17/08/2007, 10:32 PM
OCI President Hickey given an honourary medal? :D
Wouldn't give him the steam off my **** :)
Torn-Ado
17/08/2007, 11:09 PM
and showjumping (Jessica Kuerten will go as an individual)
Or maybe not
http://www.rte.ie/sport/equestrian/2007/0817/kuertenj.html
Or maybe not
http://www.rte.ie/sport/equestrian/2007/0817/kuertenj.html
She might go without the horse :D
Hilarious consideing her stance against O'Connor
shedite
20/08/2007, 10:00 AM
Was this the girl from the news last night? Shane O'Donoghue tried to interview here on 9 o clock news.
Shane: "How are you feeling"
Girl on horse: "There are a pack of *******s home in Ireland trying to ruin me".
It was the most unexpected outburst I've ever seen on the news. Doesn't deserve to be an olympian :)
It was the most unexpected outburst I've ever seen on the news. Doesn't deserve to be an olympian :)
Was that the German? She must have something to hide? :confused:
It was the most unexpected outburst I've ever seen on the news. Doesn't deserve to be an olympian :)
Probably reacting to the Independent News and Media coverage... Is Independent News and Media the best example of an oxymoron ever?
Probably reacting to the Independent News and Media coverage... Is Independent News and Media the best example of an oxymoron ever?
I haven't read the INM coverage but don't they have close ties to another Irish Showjumper...
What was the name of Cian O'Connor's horse, who's the majority shareholder of that company, and who actually brought the horse for his godson?
Incidentally, iirc the problems weren't over the drugging at all, but around alledged influence on team selections, training methods and the like. It was the media (dominated by whom?) who made the connection with the failed drug test (again iirc). I think one of Kruetons (sp?) horses failed a drug test year's before the Olympics.
Newryrep
20/08/2007, 3:17 PM
as somebody once said "The olympics, a waste of good drugs"
Volcán Masaya
21/08/2007, 7:33 AM
When you think of the money pumped directly & indirectly into Irish Horses (other things pumped into them for thats a different story) the performances in the Olympics have been very poor.
Irish horses have won something like 50 Olympic medals over the years (counting in team medals). An Irish rider has yet to medal. I think you'd have to go back to the 20s or 30s to find an Olympic Games where an Irish horse didn't win a medal of some sort.
So it ain't the horses.
While the Irish Sport Horse is no longer sought after as a showjumper, it's still the no.1 Eventing horse in the world and has held that position since the WFSHB started keeping rankings. The last 2 Gold medal winners in eventing where mounted on Irish bred horses, Custom Made in 2000 and Shear L'eau in 2004 (and the horse that should have won the gold in 2004 but for a stupid disqualification, Ringwood Cockatoo, was also Irish bred).
What is interesting however, is that ISH's position at the top of rankings over the last couple years has been mostly due to the influence of a "foreign" stallion, the German bred Holsteiner, Cavalier Royale.
Irish horses have won something like 50 Olympic medals over the years (counting in team medals). An Irish rider has yet to medal. I think you'd have to go back to the 20s or 30s to find an Olympic Games where an Irish horse didn't win a medal of some sort. So it ain't the horses.
Sorry I did not know horses were awarded medal. ;)
I get the impression that a lot of horses are only Irish in name. The parents have a one night stand in Tipperary & then they fly off their separate ways the next day ;)
Volcán Masaya
21/08/2007, 3:07 PM
If you're talking about TBs, then their nationality is determined by where they are foaled. So any TB with an IRE after his name was born in Ireland.
If you're talking about sporthorses, all the horses I was refering to re the Olympics were bred in Ireland.
Torn-Ado
14/09/2007, 2:55 PM
http://www.rte.ie/sport/other/2007/0914/olympics.html
Baku!! F*ckin Azerbaijan! :eek:
They'll be extreme outsiders but fair play to them for giving it a go.
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