Ireland and the Olympics from Athens to London

Sparks

From here:

Press Release
Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs
Re: Oireachtas Committee Report entitled ‘Ireland and the Olympics From Athens to London’.

• Deputy Cecilia Keaveney T.D. Chairwoman of the Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs will launch at 12 midday on Tuesday 22 November her Committee’s eighth report entitled “Ireland and the Olympics: From Athens to London”. The report deals with the fall out from the Athens Olympiad from an Irish perspective and with the issue of a sport for all policy. The Report acknowledges the fiasco in Athens and makes certain recommendations for the future, chief of which is the recommendation that the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism establish and chair a steering committee to co-ordinate and manage the 2012 Olympic Roadmap. The Joint Committee feels that this is necessary to keep the various stakeholders working together with a common purpose. If this requires legislative change so be it. There are various other recommendations dealing with funding for coaches as well as for athletes, the early identification of potential participants and the foundation of an Irish Institute of Sport.
• The report also strongly supports a sport for all policy and makes certain recommendations for the expansion of such a policy.
• Finally the Report anticipates the impact of London 2012 on our young people. The proximity and the 24 hour media coverage will spur them to involvement with and participation in international sport and perhaps the best for Irish sport will be in Olympiads subsequent to 2012.

Here's the download page.

Some interesting conclusions in the report, and some pretty serious consequences for the NGBs who are going to be held ever more tightly to the ISC's model of investing in sport, rather than funding it...

RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE
The Joint Committee recognises the primacy of the participants in the Games
as being paramount and in keeping with the Olympic ideals.

1. That the Department of Arts Sport and Tourism establish and Chair a steering committee to co-ordinate and manage the 2012 Olympic Roadmap.
   
2. That the ISC immediately prepare a 2012 Roadmap for planning up to
   and including the London Olympics.
   
3. That all support agencies develop an agreed set of performance indicators
   in line with the 2012 Roadmap subject to approval and monitoring of the
   Steering Committee.
   
4. That the ‘vacuum’ situation surrounding the staffing arrangements in the
   NCTC be addressed as a priority by the SCI and NCTC.
   
5. The Joint Committee views the immediate establishment of the Institute of
   Sport as a critical element in the high performance strategy and one which
   should play an essential role in the preparation for the Beijing and London
   Olympiads. It is recommended that the ISC establish the Institute of Sport
   as a number one priority in its 2006-2008 Strategic Plan.
   
6. That the establishment of a direct funding link between the SCI and carded
   athletes should be actively considered with a view to delivering a simpler
   and more effective system for athletes.
   
7. That the SCI define performance targets for all support agencies receiving
   grants as a basis for measuring value for money and for measuring
   progress along the proposed 2012 Roadmap.
   
8. That the International Carding Scheme provide 3- 4 year financial
   commitments to athletes of 2012 potential based on their performance
   pathway early in their careers.
   
9. That agreement should be reached at Olympic Performance Committee
   level regarding closing dates for Olympic qualifications in consultation
   with the athletes.
   
10. That the OCI prepare and submit operational proposals for discussion with
    the OPC on how to define the ‘best of the B standard’ athletes for inclusion
    on the Olympic Team.
    
11. That the OCI introduce a new quality control mechanism to the selection
    process for all Olympic support team members, in consultation with the
    team members, to optimise performance of individual athletes, the details
    of which are to be agreed with the OPC.
    
12. That the ISC extend the International Carding Scheme to target funds at
    coaches working with athletes on the carding scheme.
    
13. That the ISC develop a pilot mentoring programme for previously carded
    athletes with a view to facilitating knowledge transfer to new athletes.
    
14. The OCI should develop annual performance measures for the Athletes
    Commission.
    
15. That the SCI undertake annual independent research to measure the
    satisfaction rating of athletes in terms of Olympic preparation planning.
    
16. That the areas for improvement identified in chapter 2 be reviewed
    biannually by support agencies particularly drug use and the use of dietary
    supplements.
    
17. That the SCI increase its primary schools funding of sports development
    significantly over its 2006-2008 strategic plan and that sports partnerships
    be immediately rolled out throughout the country.
    
18. That SCI co-ordinate a new secondary schools Physical Education
    initiative in association with the Department of Education and Science and
    the Department of Health and Children to promote the principle of Sport for All.
19. The co-ordinating committee in consultation with athletes and support
    agencies prepare a comprehensive strategy for the development and
    management of ‘team spirit’, embodying national pride spanning from
    2005 until the return of the team from Beijing.

Perhaps the most worrying part in the report from the NGB's point of view should be from page 28:

Organisational support structures
In general athletes were concerned that the current organisational support structures were not as professional as they would expect or required. Some athletes decided to establish their own support structure because they viewed the available services to be inadequate or not expert enough to meet their specific needs. Recognising the importance of addressing the prevention of drugs in sport, the issue of drugs can become an overriding concern of support agencies, while issues relating to sickness of athletes can be overlooked. Where this happens it can contribute to low morale in athletes.
Despite the systems of support and review that are in place, athletes often feel that their views are not being listened to or being taken on board. This is particularly frustrating for the individuals on whom all eyes rest for delivering the final sporting performance.
For some athletes there is still a feeling that their success is being achieved ‘in spite of the system’. This is in part a reflection on the fact that the reality of the athlete’s day to day interface with support agencies is not seen as being aligned with the policy statement and objectives of agencies to be athlete-centred.