Irish Olympians will inspire next generation of athletes, says Taoiseach

Ireland’s premier Simon Harris has said the team of Irish athletes at the Paris Olympic Games will inspire the next generation.

The Taoiseach said the range of disciplines Irish athletes were competing in and the various backgrounds they came from would encourage others to take part in sports.

He was speaking after meeting Irish athletes in the Olympic village ahead of the opening ceremony on Friday.

“I was excited about these Games before coming here but being here today really brings the point home,” he said of the sporting spectacle.

“We have our largest ever squad, 133 athletes, I think up from 116 in Tokyo.

“It’s been absolutely brilliant to see such a range of incredible athletes representing our country, to see the excitement, to see the nerves and also to see some of the benefits of having an Olympics closer to home.

“A lot of the athletes have a lot of their family, a lot of their friends coming out here over the next few days as well.”

He said Ireland’s two rugby sevens wins, against South Africa and Japan, had given the whole squad a boost.

“The guys have got us off to a great start in the rugby sevens and I think that hasn’t just pleased them and excited our country, it’s actually given, I think, all of the athletes a lift psychologically,” said Mr Harris.

He said the range of sports in which Ireland was competing would be good for young people to see and “will encourage the next generation to participate”.

“We’re really well positioned to have a good Olympics,” he said.

“The breadth of areas in which we are competing, not just participating but really competing at the highest level, is really encouraging.”

He also said the Irish Olympic team was “really diverse” and from “a whole variety of different backgrounds”.

“I think that gives great hope to young people in Ireland: Whatever their background you too can grow up and represent your country at the Olympic Games,” he said.

The Irish Government has increased investment since the Tokyo Olympics, from 59 million euro to 89 million euro.

Minister for Tourism and Sport Catherine Martin, who will also travel to the Olympic Games in the coming days, wished the athletes well.

She said: “I would like to congratulate all of our athletes who have qualified for the Games, which is an achievement in itself.

“I know that they, and their coaches and families, have put enormous work and effort into getting this far, and I am sure they will do us proud over the coming weeks.”