The Olympic Federation of Ireland provides a detailed weekly round-up of qualifications, upcoming events and more regarding the likely makeup of Team Ireland in Tokyo.
With the games drawing ever closer we thought it would be of interest to share the update and keep you up to date with how the team is progressing and also as a round up of the coverage we have been giving to the Games in the previous week.
As things stand at the moment we have 63 athletes guaranteed a place in competition, with many others currently sitting within qualification based on rankings or waiting on final places to be determined.
Here are the latest updates from the OFI and the individual sports.
Circle K, a partner of Team Ireland, launched a new range of official Team Ireland merchandise, including two Team Ireland mascots. To celebrate, they are currently running a competition to name the mascot. Read more here.
Gourmet Food Parlour was named this week as the official catering supplier to Team Ireland, with a focus this summer on the home experience throughout the Olympic Games in July and August.
This video of Rhys McClenaghan from Indeed, the official partner to Team Ireland for Tokyo 2020, and of our own Olympic coverage with gymnast Rhys McClenaghan is well worth a watch.
Today marked the halfway mark of the Olympic Schools Challenge Road to Tokyo which currently has over 45,000 school children around Ireland learning more about the Olympics, Team Ireland and getting active. The Dare to Believe initiative is supported by FBD Insurance, the official sponsor to Team Ireland for Tokyo 2020.
Last week the IOC announced that Pfizer has donated vaccinations to athletes and representatives who will be travelling to Tokyo in July for the Olympic Games. A move that was also welcomed by the Irish government.
Athletics
The mixed 4 x 400m team of Chris O’Donnell, Phil Healy, Sharlene Mawdsley, and Thomas Barr produced a stunning performance to finish 3rd in 3.16.84 NR which secured Olympic and 2022 World Championships qualification.
The Women’s 4 x 200m also finished a historic second with a stunning performance.
Canoeing
The Irish Canoe Slalom team just fell short of achieving a qualifying spot with Noel Hendrick coming within one nation spot of qualifying for Tokyo in the Men’s K1. Hendrick is an FBD Make a Difference Scholar.
In the 2021 Canoe Sprint European Qualifier, Jenny Egan finished 8th in the final of a tough race. It was not enough to take one of the two places on offer.
Diving
Last week Tanya Watson and Oliver Dingley performed strongly in the FINA Diving World Cup in Tokyo, competing in the Women’s 10m Platform and the Men’s 3m Springboard events respectively. Alongside teammates Ciara McGing (10m Platform) and Clare Cryan (3m Springboard) they are now competing in Budapest for the LEN European Aquatics Championships from Monday, 10-23 May, after which they will await final FINA ranking confirmation.
Golf
Olivia Mehaffey is ready to take on the world of professional golf and will make her debut on the Symetra Tour’s Mission Inn Resort and Club Championship in Orlando later this month.
Hockey
This weekend Ireland take on Scotland in their final preparation for the EuroHockey Championships.
Modern Pentathlon
Three Irish Athletes are set to compete in the UIPM 2021 Pentathlon World Cup Final which takes place from 13 – 16 May, in Hungary. Natalya Coyle, Arthur Lanigan O’Keeffe and Sive Brassil will all be in action, with Lanigan O’Keeffe and Brassil both still seeking Olympic qualification, with strong performances required in both his World Cup and the World Championships in Cairo in June. Day one saw Natalya finish tenth in the fencing round.
Rowing
This week is a big one for Irish rowing, with the 2021 Olympic Qualifying Regatta taking place in Lucerne. Three crews are competing for the coveted Olympic berths, the Women’s Four, Women’s Lightweight Double and the Men’s Single. The competition runs from 14-15 May.  Ireland has already four crews qualified for Tokyo this summer.
Swimming
Swim Ireland has confirmed a large team of 24 athletes (20 swimmers and 4 divers) for the LEN European Aquatics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, which run from the 10 – 23 May at the Duna Arena. The swimming element of the Championships runs from May 17-23 and the team’s focus will be trying to qualify a relay team for the Olympic Games for the first time in 49 years.
Triathlon
Russell White and Carolyn Hayes are both in Yokohama this weekend, racing the first event in the re-opened qualification period for the triathlon.
The race is the first of six over six weeks that will offer points before qualification closes in mid-June.
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