The Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Dr Jim McDaid, yesterday announced that £925,000 would be available for 170 athletes this year, rising to £1 million when further awards are completed.
However, following recent sex abuse scandals in swimming, the Government are still unwilling to fund the sport until such time as it is happy with the reforms currently being undertaken in the sport.
Dr McDaid was speaking in Dublin at the launch of a new scheme which allocates grants for high performance athletes. Under a new carding structure, elite athletes will be financed through the Irish Sports Council according to performances and achievements in their respective disciplines.
"The objective of the new support system is to nurture and encourage emerging talent and turn world class potential into world class performances, thereby increasing our chances of winning medals. The scheme aims to help Irish athletes reach more European, World and Olympic finals and, hopefully, win our share of them," said Dr McDaid.
The biggest single allocation went to double Olympic canoeist Ian Wiley who received £24,000. Established world class athletes such as discus thrower Nick Sweeney, hurdler Susan Smith, boxers Neil Gough and Francis Barrett and sailor Maria Coleman will receive as much as £8,000 at the higher end of the scheme under the World Class 2 category. Juniors like double Olympic youth gold medallist Emily Maher will pick up £1,200. Sonia O'Sullivan, categorised as a World Class 1 athlete in the 1,500m, 3,000m, 5,000m and cross country, will receive £12,000.
While the £1 million in direct financial support represents double that which was awarded to the 202 athletes in the old Outstanding Sportspersons Scheme last year, Irish swimming will continue to be left out in the cold. Despite wholesale changes within the Irish Amateur Swimming Association (IASA) in the wake of a series of sex abuse scandals, the association has further ground to cover before gaining the Government's approval.
"They (IASA) are moving in the right direction. I've always said that when I and others have confidence in them I will restore funding. But certainly not until then. In fact I can make it quite clear to everyone concerned here, that I am not going to be fooled in any way by resignations and the same old things happening again," said Dr McDaid.
"But I am encouraged by what is happening. They're moving in the right direction, but they are not quite there. I would certainly have to have a serious look at what emerges, particularly in relation to personnel and structures of the association."
The card scheme also seeks to provide back up to the athletes as well as direct support and emphasises a focus on aspects of nutrition, sports medical advice and screening, physiotherapy, planning and the provision of training facilities.
The scheme will be constantly monitored and will be subject to annual review so that it offers the most appropriate combination of services and support. "The athletes are now picking themselves for the scheme. It is based on achievement," said chief executive of the Irish Sports Council John Treacy.
Of the 170 athletes named, 48 are placed in the World Class categories, 29 in the International Class, 22 in the Development Class and 71 are promising juniors. There are also 24 player/ athletes with disabilities; seven from blind sports, five from Cerebral Palsy sport, one from the Irish Deaf Sports Association and 11 from the Irish Wheelchair Association.
In the context of sportspersons with disability, Dr McDaid again added his department's weight to Ireland's bid for the 2003 Special Summer Olympics. "It would be a great privilege to host this event and I hope our bid will be looked on with favour," he said.
Susan Smith, who was in attendance, was pleased to announce a season's best of 54.93 seconds for the 400m hurdles. The time also represents her third best run, a timely boost for the run-in to the European Championships in Budapest in two weeks time. She will run in both the 100m and 400m hurdles. Other athletes who qualified for Budapest over the weekend were Niall Bruton in the 1,500m and David Matthews in the 800m.
