Three-time Olympian and European Games bronze medallist Chloe Magee has been announced as the Irish flagbearer for the opening ceremony of the European Games in Minsk later this month.
The announcement was made by Fiona Muldoon, CEO of FBD Insurance at a media event which ran in conjunction with a team preparation day for Team Ireland, attended by Team Ireland sponsors, partners and athletes.
The European Games in Minsk will see over 4000 athletes from 50 countries compete across 200 events.
Coverage of the games will be shown on eir Sport throughout the Games which were held for the first time in Azerbaijan four years ago, ahead of the Rio Olympic Games.
They were very much a pet project of former Irish Olympic Council President Pat Hickey, in his role in a similar position at European level within the International Olympic Council.
Hickey is currently self suspended from any engagement with the Olympic movement in Ireland or internationally. He has though been invited to the opening ceremony of the Minsk Games, as part of the protocol for former Presidents, and his presence would be challenging for the Olympic Federation of Ireland.
There is no indication yet as to whether he has accepted or rejected the invitation but we would feel it unlikely that he would be there.
Sixty-five Irish athletes across nine sports will be competing in Minsk, with five sports confirmed as part of the Tokyo 2020 Qualification process; archery, athletics, badminton, cycling road, judo and shooting.
Joe Ward was a last minute withdrawal from the Boxing team having announced his decision to turn professional last week.
We will though still have twelve boxers competing including World Champion Kellie Harrington in the Women’s 60KG Lightweight Division.
Team Ireland will field teams in Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Canoe Sprint, Cycling, Gymnastics, Judo and Shooting.
Image Credit: David Fitzgerald, Sportsfile
