Olympic gear issue raised again
Wednesday, 23 May 2001 20:19After being a contentious issue for many years, the Olympic gear row has raised its head again today. The Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) has accused the Athletics Association of Ireland (AAI) of deliberately missing the competition entry deadline for the Youth Olympics to avoid its athletes having to wear the Olympic Councils nominated gear. Athletics Ireland has yet to respond to the charge.
In relation to the issue Terry McHugh, Chairman of the Olympic Athletes, released a statement stating: "It is regrettable that an accommodation cannot be reached between the Athletics Association of Ireland and the Olympic Council of Ireland, to allow young athletes the opportunity of competing at a competition of this calibre."
"Also it is a lost opportunity for the Olympic officials to interact with the athletes and familiarise themselves with the needs of athletes in general, and for the management of future Olympic events. As chairman of the Olympic Council of Athletes Commission, my focus, at all times, is the athletes, both senior and underage, and again I feel this is a lost opportunity. Obviously, it is a lost opportunity for the athletes, but I also feel that it was an opportunity for the associations to work harmoniously together for the future."
Filed by Sinéad Kissane
