Irish rowers win big as Sport Ireland announces investment in record performance – Irish Times

Sport Ireland has announced its final high-performance funding for the Paris Olympic cycle with an additional investment of €25 million, making Ireland another big winner as it looks to build on its medal success in Tokyo.

This will bring the total investment of the 19 National Governing Bodies (NGBs) into Paris Cycle starting in 2021 to up to €89 million, a significant increase from the €59 million invested in Tokyo Cycle.

This includes €4.4 million in direct funding to athletes under the International Card Scheme, which will support 123 athletes from 16 NGBs in 2024, with a total of 33 athletes reaching the top category podium. They will receive funding (equivalent to 40,000 euros).

Irish rowing has 16 athletes receiving funding at this top level, compared to 4 in boxing and just 3 in athletics, bringing the total value of the international card scheme to €863,000. , followed by Athletics Ireland at €645,000.

Ireland in rowing has also surpassed Paralympic Ireland (1 million euros/3.7 million euros) and Irish Athletics Boxing Association (965,000 euros/3.5 million euros), with a total of 1,093,334 euros for 2024 (390,000 euros in the Paris Olympic cycle). million euros), making it the top overall high-performing investment. million) and Irish Athletics (€841,666/€3,365,000)

From 2021 to 2024, Sport Ireland will also invest €3.195 million in the Irish Olympic Federation, including an allocation of €850,000 to support costs associated with the Paris Games. Sport Ireland will provide €2,813,000 for the Irish Paralympics this term, including €800,000 for the 2024 Paralympic Games.

Irish athletes won a record 99 medals at major international competitions in 2023, according to figures released as part of Tuesday’s announcement. Meanwhile, they have won more than 260 medals in the Paris Olympic cycle (2021-2024) so ​​far, and are well on their way to achieving their goals. Achieve national sports policy target 270.

“Public investment in high-performance sport has increased from €14 million in 2018 to a record €25 million this year,” said Sports Minister Thomas Byrne. “This significant increase in funding for high performance sport over the years demonstrates the Government’s commitment to working with Sport Ireland to support athletes as they strive to succeed.”

Dr Una May, Chief Executive of Sport Ireland, added: “The record investment this year and throughout this cycle demonstrates Sport Ireland’s sustained commitment to reflecting the dedication of our nation’s leading athletes and teams who have achieved so much.

“Sport Ireland’s main high performance focus is on the long-term development of the system and we are confident that this support will enable Team Ireland to give their best and enjoy the Paris experience.”

Multi-year high performance program funding has been introduced for Paris Cycle, allowing NGBs to better plan their programs with secure support from Sport Ireland. This also meant that players who met the funding criteria would remain in the international card system in 2023 and 2024.

This year alone, €10.8 million will be invested in 19 NGBs, and this multi-year funding will continue into the 2025-2028 Los Angeles cycle.

Before Tokyo, rowing was well down the list of high-performance funding, starting at number eight. In addition to their medal success in Tokyo (gold medals for Gary O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy in the men’s lightweight doubles and bronze in the women’s four events), Irish rowing continues after winning a further four medals at last year’s World Championships. has once again become the most funded Olympic sport. some distance.

Ireland also completed the World Championships in Belgrade with six boats qualifying for Paris: men’s and women’s pairs, men’s and women’s double sculls, and men’s and women’s lightweight double sculls.

Things have come a long way in the past 20 years. Prior to the 2004 Athens Games, 5.3 million euros were allocated in performance funds, including just 2 million euros paid directly to athletes and up to 30,500 euros per athlete.

High Performance Program Funding Package – 2024 Investment /2021-2024

Rowing Ireland €1,093,334/€3.9 million

Paralympics Ireland 1 million euros/3.7 million euros

Irish Athletic Boxing Association €965,000/€3.5 million

Athletics Ireland €841,666/€3,365,000

Hockey Ireland €856,666/€3.3 million

Irish Sailing Association €800,000/€3.2 million

Horsesport Ireland €803,334/€3.1 million

Swimming Ireland €756,666/€2.9 million

Irish Cycling 520,000 euros/2 million euros

Golf Ireland €516,666/€2 million

Gymnastics Ireland 506,666 euros/1.75 million euros

Irish Rugby Football Union 416,666 euros/1.55 ​​million euros

Badminton Ireland 346,666 euros/1.2 million euros

Cricket Ireland €333,334/€1.2 million

Pentathlon Ireland 286,666 euros/1.15 million euros

Triathlon Ireland 250,000 euros/1 million euros

Irish Judo Association €226,666/€750,000

Canoe Ireland €216,666/€700,000

Irish Taekwondo Federation €150,000/€500,000

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