A new President of the Olympic Federation of Ireland will be determined at next month’s EGM. There are two candidates to fill the shoes of outgoing President Sarah Keane who is stepping down after two terms having taken up the role in the febrile crisis hit circumstances surrounding the old Olympic Council post the 2016 Games.
Moira Aston and Lochlann Walsh both have a wealth of experience in the sector and I am proud to have worked with them, to know them, and to call them friends.
Either one will be a winner for the Olympic movement at time when it is perhaps stronger than ever before. A brilliant Paris Games via every metric and with planning underway for Los Angeles already gives a great base, and while she would deflect much credit for that there is no doubt that Sarah Keane was a key player in making that happen.
She did not run or swim the fastest race, row the fastest qualifier, or box the smartest tactical round in the ring but success is built on creating the right environment for the Rhasidat’s and the Paul’s the Kellie’s and the Daniel’s. In that she, and the team around her did their job to a very high level.
Now it will be up to the new leadership, bolstered by the continuance of Peter Sherrard in his role as CEO, and for technical purposes in the new title of General Secretary, and of Sarah O’Shea who is unopposed in her role as Vice President.
Moira Aston is the CEO of Canoeing Ireland since December 2018 and has extensive sports administration experience having worked with Athletics Ireland for twelve years in senior roles.
Lochlann Walsh has a 20-year track record in sports administration, from grass roots to NGB Chair. In his professional life he has over 30 years’ experience in commercial leadership roles in large multinationals which complements the skills needed in Sport Administration.
We will be covering their experiences and their ambitions in advance of the EGM on December 5th.
There are also 14 candidates going forward for election to the six places up for determination on the Executive Committee. These are in addition to two independent members, which might extend to four through co-option in the next Olympic Cycle, and the Chair of the OFI Athlete’s Commission.
These include sporting CEO’s Moira Aston, Michelle Carpenter, John Feehan and James Quilligan as well as Eric Brady, Georgina Drumm, Roddy Guiney, Aaron Guli, Eadaoin Keane, Sonya McGinn, Aidan McLaughlin, John Menton, Siobhán Scarlett and Cecile Van Steenberge.
The elections will be overseen by Arthur Cox and will take place in person at the Clayton Hotel, Cardiff Lane, Dublin.
The Sport for Business Membership comprises nearly 300 organisations, including all the leading sports and sponsors, as well as commercial and state agencies.Â
