The Olympic Federation of Ireland grew in size by four new member associations last night at a virtual EGM held over Zoom.
The National associations responsible for Dancesport, Surfing, Luge and Kickboxing were all voted in on a show of hands.
The first three are now full members while Kickboxing has been granted associate status ahead of its joining the Olympic programme of events for LA in 2028.
The Executive Committee was also voted on and for the first time will have an equal gender representation.
Sarah Keane was re-elected unopposed to the role of President for a second four-year term, as were Colm Barrington and Robert Norwood as Vice Presidents and Sarah O’Shea as Honorary General Secretary.
A vote had taken place online earlier in the day to fill seven spots on the Executive Committee.
They were won by Moira Aston from Canoeing, Michelle Carpenter from Rowing, Georgina Drumm from Athletics, Ciaran Gallagher from Gymnastics, Linda Morgan from Boxing, PJ Nolan from Cycling and Lochlann Walsh from Triathlon.
Shane O’Connor retains his ex-officio role as Chair of the Athletes Commission.
Two places will also be given over to independent directors with a process getting underway shortly to identify suitable candidates.
The Olympic Federation passed a motion at this year’s AGM to provide for a minimum gender balance of 40 per cent men and the same women so with six of each already in place that has been implemented.
“Tonight we are delighted to welcome three new members to our Executive Committee, and I would like to thank the outgoing members – Billy Kennedy, Robert Johnson, Darren O’Neill and Denis Toomey, who have contributed greatly to the organisation over the past three years,” said Keane.
“We are in the middle of our 2018 – 2028 strategy, and whilst a significant amount has been done and achieved so far, there is more to do, and we are very ambitious for Team Ireland and for Irish Olympic sport.”
“I would also like to welcome our four new member federations, which represent some of the exciting and diverse sports that are on the Olympic agenda.”
“We look forward to working with them and with all of our 42 member federations over the coming years.”
CEO Peter Sherrard updated the meeting on a number of issues relating to the potential changes being implemented around athlete participation in Tokyo and Brian MacNeice of teneo also addressed a research project he had undertaken looking at the way in which the OFI engaged with its Member Associations.
Almost 100 members and observers attended the meeting.
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