Irish athletes have become “absolutely feared” ahead of this summer’s Olympics, Team Ireland has claimed. 

A record 125 athletes will be representing Ireland at the event this year, which runs in Paris from 26th July to 11th August.

Around €90 million has already been invested in this Olympic cycle, up €30 million since Tokyo.

Opportunities

Team Ireland chief Gavin Noble said Ireland is ready to compete with the best.

“We've got opportunities in multiple sports,” he said.

“I like to not think of it in terms of medal chances, but opportunities, and I think we have 12 really good opportunities to do very well.”

Daniel Wiffen reacts after winning gold in the Men's 1500m freestyle, 18-02-2024. Image: Ian MacNicol/Sportsfile

Mr Noble said Ireland’s recent success in athletics “hasn’t happened overnight.”

“The Olympics might be an event once every four years, but some people have been preparing for this event for 12, 15, 16 years,” he said.

“It’s not just athletes, but the coaches too, and not everyone gets to go.

“We have our team going now but we’re also trying to prepare and inspire others for the next cycle.”

1 August 2021; Rhys McClenaghan of Ireland during the men's pommel horse final at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre during the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Ireland has won 38 medals at the Olympics since it first participated in 1924.

Irish athletes returned with four medals from Tokyo in 2020, including a gold medal in boxing for Dublin’s Kellie Harrington and a gold in rowing doubles for Cork duo Fintan McCarthy and Paul O’Donovan.

Feared athletes

Sport Ireland CEO Dr Úna May said Irish athletes have now become “absolutely feared” ahead of the Paris Olympics.

“So as soon as our athletes appear on the start list, other countries are looking and kind of thinking, ‘Oh, that's us gone,’” she said.

“We are feared in some sports but there’s also no question about us being the underdog in the majority of sports we take part in.

“I think that’s something we’ve been very clear on – that our athletes are going to Paris not just to participate, but to compete.”

Ciara Mageean, of Ireland celebrates after winning the gold medal in the women's 1500 meters final at the European Athletics Championships in Rome, Sunday, June 9, 2024. Image: AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino

Ireland’s largest Olympic medal haul of six was earned in London in 2012.

Katie Taylor won gold that year and Ireland returned home with five boxing medals in total and one in sailing.

Main image: Ireland's Rhasidat Adeleke after finishing fifth in the women's 400m final during day seven of the 2022 European Championships in Munich, Germany. Picture by: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile