Dermot Henihan - OCI Chef de Mission

thirtyfoot

I'm wondering if its just me or is anyone else not impressed with this guy's performance. He was on national radio 3 days ago berating the disasterous Olympics and under-performance at the Games, excluding the boxers. This is the leader of the team saying these things with several Irish Olympians still to compete, wholly inappropriate and deviod of any leadership, motivation or loyalty. Then last night I was watching him answer Marty Morrissey questions on the Horse Drugs affair and someone was in our house who has no interest in sport who remarked "who is he, he is an awfull pig of a man". Now, I mightn't go that far but he was far from impressive and re-assuring as a Chef de Mission. I sense there may be political power struggles and tom-foolery going on here between OCI and ISC with the athletes being used as a football.

Much has been made of the athlete performances in Beijing but when you look at carry on like this I think some questions should be directed this guy's way. I'm pretty sure he didn't have to go through a strict qualifying to get to Beijing:D. Does anyone know this guy or what sport or background, he has the Effin Eddie Moroney vibe going down pretty well?

Amz

Not the first time this has happened. Pat Hickey did the same thing last time around. They always come out with their "There needs to be a report commissioned" spiel, but they never implement anything from these reports.

thirdmantackle

never mind these OCI officials

they have no involvement with sport on the ground or elite athletes

they just come out of the woodwork every 4 years for a junket

104

I'm not so sure. I think it's a case of frustration with a bad/unclear system. The relationship between the OCI and the ISC needs to be clearly defined, at least to the public.

Marty Morriseys interview with Henihan showed Morrisey doesn't know the structure behind the scenes, when he said that he (Henihan) should have known about the doping of Lynchs horse, when as it turned out the Equestrian went AWOL and claim they sent a text informing the OCI of the matter, surely something as serious as this, warrants more than a text !! I’d like to see that content of that text.

The Equestrian crowd have let us down again - it's a major blow for the country. But it seems that they think it’s acceptable. If you look at the 4 members in Irish Aga Khan, firstly Cian O'Connor (who's story from the last Olympics still reeks and leaves sickening feeling when I think of it and all that entailed after), secondly Jessica Kurten (who again is far from a saint and showed her arrogance when caught on Castleforbes) Eddie Macken (a legend in bad company) and now Denis Lynch who is playing the "I'm sorry, I didn't know card" That's 3 out of 4 involved in Equestrian doping representing the country, and Cian O'Connor has targeted London 2012 to compete in - It'll be a travesty he's allowed near London in 4 years time. The Equestrian federation have let the country down, and should be held accountable – I haven’t seen an interview with them yet – Morrissey should track them down. I saw an article with Pat Hickey from the OCI he seemed pretty disgusted with the whole affair. In fairness to Henihan at least he commented on it - when none on the Equestrain crowd could be found, and for that matter the ISC. From what I understand of the OCI takes the athletes from the ISC (John Treacy and Co) for the duration of the Olympics.

Henihan was shouldn't have criticised the results before the Fat lady sings tomorrow, but I think he was trying to make the point that over 34 million euro has been invested, and that the country would like to see some results, it's not fair sending over athletes that are injured such as O'Keefe and O'Rourke, (as the the English did with Radcliffe).

I sense another Genesis type Report, akin to the aftermath from the Rugby World Cup. The recent success with Rugby and Roy’s Keane philosophy “What’s wrong with wanting to win” seems to have rubbed off on the entire country and we expect glory every time. I think Hession did outstandingly to get where he did.

That’s my 2 cents – Now come on Egan – bring it home !!!

DaMooseDog

I'm glad that somebody else has raised this subject about the OCI, as I'm not too sure what their role is other than being the yay or nay gatekeeper to allowing Irish athletes to take part in the Olympics. From looking at their credentials on the OCI website, few of them have competed in Olympic sport at a high level (if at all), and judging by Hinehan's and Hickey's entirely unprofessional, pass-the-buck comments over the past week I'm left questioning their PR and management skills. And why would they tell a 38 year old in the twilight of her career (Pauline Curley) to get ready for an Olympic marathon, 3 weeks before the event while she's sitting on a beach in the Canaries??

Can somebody tell me what the hell do the OCI do, other than attending regular Olympic admin junkets....surely the Irish Sports Council with extended authority to manage the Olympic side of things, combined with the individual sports bodies are enough to get the job done?

thirdmantackle

the OCI are the body affiliated to the IOC basically

so they have final say over who goes to represent Ireland and who doesn't. Irish Sports Council have no say in the matter really except funding sport in Ireland.

the OCI is made up of elected officials from various sports bodies in Ireland

but basically its controlled by a few blazers. Hickey has been there for donkeys, giving out when Ireland do useless but there to present medals when we win something

Hickey has the support of one large sports body - not sure if its the swimming or athletics. He is also very high up in the IOC.

moe_sizlak

hickey is known to be a particulary arrogant and self important individual , the guy is baschically just another unsackable civil servant type

thirtyfoot

thirdmantackle wrote: »

Hickey has the support of one large sports body - not sure if its the swimming or athletics. He is also very high up in the IOC.

Its not athletics!! I think he gets his support from the minority Olympic sports that never even have a chance of getting to an Olympics, as each organisation has one vote as far as I am aware, so Baseball Ireland have same voting powers as Boxing Ireland which is rubbish in my opinion. Does anyone know if this is the case?