TD Offers Ireland As Olympic Training Ground

Ireland has been suggested as an Olympic training ground for London 2012's athletes by a Fine Fail TD.

Pat the Cope Gallagher asked the Olympic Council of Ireland to promote Ireland as a location for advance training ahead of 2012 as the Irish Olympic contingent head to Beijing for the upcoming Chinese Olympics.

The president of the Olympic Council of Ireland, Patrick Hickey, along with its Honorary General Secretary Dermot Sherlock, and the Deputy Chief de Mission for Beijing 2008, Tom Rafter, came before the Arts, Sports, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Committee before they departed for Beijing and Chairman Pat the Cope suggested to them that Ireland is well positioned to offer its training resources.

After the meeting The Cope said: "The delegation from the Olympic Council of Ireland made it clear to the Committee that Ireland may never hold the Olympic Games, but I asked that they suggest to their international colleagues in Beijing that, while they are participating in the Olympics in London, Ireland is open for business for advance training."

"I know that the Department and the Council would be delighted to entice athletes to Ireland."

He added: "Ireland has 51 athletes competing in the Beijing Games compared with 23 from Denmark and 35 from Finland.

"We are boxing well above our weight, and I would like to wish all the participants, and in particular the two Donegal participants Chloe Magee and Philip Deignan, every good wish."

The Beijing Olympic games are due to start on Friday 8th August.

(DW)