Irish Olympians have been honoured at two events in Dublin following a record-breaking performance in Paris last month.
President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina hosted a reception at Áras an Uachtaráin for many of the Irish medalists, athletes and coaches from the Paris 2024 Games.
It included gold medalists Rhys McClenaghan, Kellie Harrington and Fintan McCarthy.
A second event also took place at Dublin Castle to acknowledge their success with the athletes joined by their friends, family and coaches.
It is just over a month since Team Ireland had its most successful ever Olympic Games, bringing home seven medals from Paris.
— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) September 13, 2024
President and Sabina Higgins today hosted a reception for Ireland's @TeamIreland Olympians at the @Paris2024 Olympic Games. Read more at https://t.co/AoEsk8VSDZ pic.twitter.com/JTnLJYCoWT
Team Ireland 'well rested' after Olympics
Double Olympic gold medalist Kellie Harrington said that Team Ireland athletes were "in good form" and "well rested" after the Paris games.
Speaking at the event in Dublin Castle, the 34-year-old said everyone on Team Ireland helped "to lift the nation" with the performances in Paris.
She said the occasion today, which included their friends, families and coaches, was a great way for the entire team to get recognition and to celebrate together.
The Chief Executive of the Olympic Federation of Ireland, Peter Sherrard, echoed her words, saying it was an opportunity to have everyone together with their families, which had not been possible after the Toyko Olympics because of Covid-19.
The athletes, all wearing their Team Ireland green and white tracksuit, said it was emotional to see everyone but welcomed the opportunity to reflect on their achievements.
Sophie Becker, said she relished her time at the games but also described how it can take time to readjust after the "buzz" of it and going back to the calm of daily life.
She is, however, enjoying having the time to meet friends again and "doing normal stuff like grocery shopping ".
For many, it is also about considering what they will do next.
Showjumper Daniel Coyle described his heartbreak in Paris after being "so close to a medal" as he highlighted the challenge of balancing the highs with the lows.
He remains focused on future success and he is already thinking of the next Olympic games in Los Angeles and hopes "to be there again".
Fintan McCarthy, a double Olympic gold medalist, is grateful for the platform that this Olympics and Ireland's success has given to rowing and he is looking forward to continuing his achievements on the water.
He said more investment in Irish sport was visible in Paris and he hopes this will continue.
He is hopeful, in particular, that athletes "coming up the ladder" will not be forgotten when it comes to financial support.
Minister for Sport Catherine Martin said commitments were being made to increase investment, with a €400 million sports infrastructure planned from grassroot level to high performance.
She told RTÉ News that by the time the Olympics 2028 takes place in Los Angeles, she believes there will be "a transformation of sport for the better here".
Tánaiste Michael Martin addressed the possibility of more financial support being provided to Irish athletes and he acknowledged it is something that should be examined "into the future".
"That is certainly something we should look at," he said responding to athletes' concerns about funding.
"I think where you have a longterm plan and if we can attach funding along a long term plan, then we can get very good results and very good outcomes which then inspires communities and young people to participate in sport at all levels.
Minister Martin said he hopes that the Government can do more in terms of investing in elite sports and the national sporting bodies and "not just in the budget but in the time ahead".
