Road to Tokyo 2020 - Irish Olympic News

Pogue eile · 22-06-2021 11:06pm

Oldira wrote: »

I don’t think Padraig Harrington would like that attitude fromRory in the Ryder Cup.

Mcillroy's record in the Ryder Cup is 11 points from 19, Harrington's own record is 10 1/2 points from 25 so I don't think he is any position to question him!

Dodge · 22-06-2021 11:31pm

It’s an individual event. Most athletes in most individual events do it for themselves. That’s not an issue at all

Cosmo Kramer · 23-06-2021 9:50am

Funnily enough McIlroy has no issue representing Europe in the Ryder Cup. The problems only start when it comes to representing Ireland for him. Then, all of a sudden, he's a "citizen of the world"!

To be fair I very much doubt he's the only member of the Olympic team to have that view - Ireland has very much been a flag of convenience for a number of competitors over the years for a variety of reasons and that is unlikely to ever change. As long as they are happy to compete for us we should support them. There will also be Irish competitors representing other countries at these Olympics for similar reasons.

Dodge · 23-06-2021 11:26am

Cosmo Kramer wrote: »

Funnily enough McIlroy has no issue representing Europe in the Ryder Cup. The problems only start when it comes to representing Ireland for him. Then, all of a sudden, he's a "citizen of the world"!

This is harsh on McIlroy. There is clearly a huge difference between competing for Europe and deciding if he’s Irish or British. He’s said in the past he feels like he’s both and has represented Ireland several times. He agreed to play in Rio but pulled out because of Zika (as did Lowry and half a dozen Australians)

I think it’s pretty immature to expect someone who feels a part of two nations to come out waving flags and beating his chest about how Irish he is. It’s OK to feel conflicted

I hope he plays for Ireland in the Olympics, but I think it’s only fair that people see it is clearly a decision he, and only he, has to make

Speak Now · 23-06-2021 11:35am

Cosmo Kramer wrote: »

Funnily enough McIlroy has no issue representing Europe in the Ryder Cup. The problems only start when it comes to representing Ireland for him. Then, all of a sudden, he's a "citizen of the world"!

To be fair I very much doubt he's the only member of the Olympic team to have that view - Ireland has very much been a flag of convenience for a number of competitors over the years for a variety of reasons and that is unlikely to ever change. As long as they are happy to compete for us we should support them. There will also be Irish competitors representing other countries at these Olympics for similar reasons.

Yeah last represented Ireland in the World cup in 2011, since then turned down 1 Olympics and 3 world cups so this will be his first appearance for Ireland in 10 years if he tees it up. No guarantee he will yet, Harrington just ahead of McDowell in rankings currently as first reserve.

Kunta Kinte · 23-06-2021 12:47pm

Speak Now wrote: »

Yeah last represented Ireland in the World cup in 2011, since then turned down 1 Olympics and 3 world cups so this will be his first appearance for Ireland in 10 years if he tees it up. No guarantee he will yet, Harrington just ahead of McDowell in rankings currently as first reserve.

Whatever about McIlroy at least Lowry seems to be fairly enthusiastic about representing Ireland in Tokyo. Hopefully there will be no late U turns from him like what happened before Rio.

Cosmo Kramer · 23-06-2021 6:09pm

Dodge wrote: »

I think it’s pretty immature to expect someone who feels a part of two nations to come out waving flags and beating his chest about how Irish he is. It’s OK to feel conflicted

I don't believe I, or anyone else on this thread, suggested that he needs to do that. Competitors will have different levels of attachment to their countries, especially our country given the political history. It's especially understandable that McIlroy, as a Northern Irish Catholic unionist, finds himself in a particularly unusual situation.

However, once he has made up his mind to compete and to compete for Ireland, I do think he should buy into it a little bit more - even if it's just by being a bit more positive about it in interviews than he has been previously. Nobody is expecting him to drape himself in a Tricolour - he doesn't need to do that and we all know he's not going to anyway.

Strazdas · 23-06-2021 6:33pm

Cosmo Kramer wrote: »

I don't believe I, or anyone else on this thread, suggested that he needs to do that. Competitors will have different levels of attachment to their countries, especially our country given the political history. It's especially understandable that McIlroy, as a Northern Irish Catholic unionist, finds himself in a particularly unusual situation.

However, once he has made up his mind to compete and to compete for Ireland, I do think he should buy into it a little bit more - even if it's just by being a bit more positive about it in interviews than he has been previously. Nobody is expecting him to drape himself in a Tricolour - he doesn't need to do that and we all know he's not going to anyway.

In fairness to him, he always avoids flags and won't touch one.

I think it was a good decision to go with Ireland though. He would only be a bit part player for Team GB, even if he somehow won a gold medal - their team won 27 golds in Rio and it would almost be an anti-climax. He's a more natural fit on the Irish team.

Dodge · 23-06-2021 7:46pm

Tanya Watson has been confirmed in the diving. Oliver Dingley hasn’t (and looks unlikely to be)

Cosmo Kramer · 24-06-2021 5:06pm

Not a surprise by any means, but Leona Maguire has confirmed that she will be competing for Ireland in Tokyo.

According to the Indo today McIlroy and Lowry are both also expected to compete this time. This comment from the article perhaps helps to explain their change of heart from 2016:

"Harrington, Graeme McDowell, Jonathan Caldwell and Power, in that order, are the Irish reserves for an event that proved a huge cash cow for Rose, who landed multiple endorsements following his win in Rio."

Cosmo Kramer · 24-06-2021 11:35pm

Danielle Hill has swam inside the qualification time for Tokyo today for the 100m backstroke by 0.07 of a second so she's off to Tokyo.

Unfortunately 2016 Olympian Nicholas Quinn has been deemed a close contact with a Covid case and has had to pull out of the swim meet this weekend, so that's his Tokyo chances finished. Looks like the only Mayo person competing at the Olympics this time around will be Sinead Diver - representing Australia unfortunately.

Dodge · 25-06-2021 6:00pm

More updates today. It’s the last crazy week really

No weightlifting quota as Oman got the tripartite

Ellen Walshe has just got the 200 IM time in swimming

It looks like Oliver Dingley’s place will be be reinstated

Cosmo Kramer · 25-06-2021 6:52pm

There seems to be some suggestion that Ellen Walshe won't be nominated because she didn't swim close enough to the time earlier in the year to be shortlisted. Would seem very unfair not to send her when she has swam the FINA A time.

Dodge · 25-06-2021 7:14pm

Cosmo Kramer wrote: »

There seems to be some suggestion that Ellen Walshe won't be nominated because she didn't swim close enough to the time earlier in the year to be shortlisted. Would seem very unfair not to send her when she has swam the FINA A time.

I saw the tweet from John Kenny but this from earlier suggests she should be OK. Just because she wasn’t the ‘focus’ probably won’t preclude her

https://twitter.com/swimireland/status/1408355361447362562?s=21

EDIT: unless as reported below its ‘not allowed’. We shall see

https://www.rte.ie/sport/olympics/2021/0625/1231407-ellen-walshe-may-miss-out-on-games-despite-record-time/

Lost Ormond · 28-06-2021 3:59pm

7s draw made
Pool A
New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, South Korea
Pool B
Fiji, Great Britain, Japan, Canada.
Pool C
South Africa, USA, Kenya, ireland

Avoided toughest group which i feel is Pool B and should at least make quarter finals

dr.kenneth noisewater · 28-06-2021 4:23pm

Show on RTE tonight called Horizon Tokyo which followed athletes over the past couple of years trying to qualify

flynng · 01-07-2021 12:14am

Hi guys, been looking at the Team Ireland squad announcements over the past few days on Facebook and noticed a few athletes missing such as Arthur Lanigan O' Keefe and Sam and Chloe Magee. Just wondering if ye know how many Irish athletes are on standby or may have an opportunity of going to Tokyo at this late stage due to withdrawals or non-participation? Thinking of athletes like Sean McCarthy in Karate, Megan Fletcher in Judo, swim relay team, Oliver Dingely, the Magees in Badminton, Arthur Lanigan O' Keefe, track cyclists, rowers, canoeists etc etc etc. Have we a chance of adding to Team Ireland or are all doors now firmly shut?

Dodge · 01-07-2021 12:22am

Full list here. Some of those you’ve mentioned are in. Olympic federation spacing them out to give them a bit of space. ALOK is injured.

https://www.balls.ie/olympics/updated-list-of-every-irish-athlete-qualified-for-the-summer-olympics-410870

The only things that aren’t fully decided yet is the swim relays and whether Ellen Walsh goes, who’ll be officially selected in Athletics, who gets the shooting spot and who gets selected for the rugby team

There’s a slight chance for other swimmers to be selected too but every other sport is decided. Still over 110 quotas now and 19 sports

Oldira · 01-07-2021 10:54am

flynng wrote: »

Hi guys, been looking at the Team Ireland squad announcements over the past few days on Facebook and noticed a few athletes missing such as Arthur Lanigan O' Keefe and Sam and Chloe Magee. Just wondering if ye know how many Irish athletes are on standby or may have an opportunity of going to Tokyo at this late stage due to withdrawals or non-participation? Thinking of athletes like Sean McCarthy in Karate, Megan Fletcher in Judo, swim relay team, Oliver Dingely, the Magees in Badminton, Arthur Lanigan O' Keefe, track cyclists, rowers, canoeists etc etc etc. Have we a chance of adding to Team Ireland or are all doors now firmly shut?

The Magees failed to qualify and have no chance of getting a call up. Oliver Dingley is in. So is Megan Fletcher. We are waiting word on the Shooting qualifier and on Ellen Keane in Swimming. There has been nothing about the Medley Relay appeal so it must have failed. There is no chance of any call up in any other sport.

KevIRL · 01-07-2021 3:32pm

Oldira wrote: »

The Magees failed to qualify and have no chance of getting a call up. Oliver Dingley is in. So is Megan Fletcher. We are waiting word on the Shooting qualifier and on Ellen Keane in Swimming. There has been nothing about the Medley Relay appeal so it must have failed. There is no chance of any call up in any other sport.

Ellen Walshe confirmed in.

Dodge · 02-07-2021 4:33pm

Golfers confirmed. McIloy and Lowry in the men’s. Maguire and Meadow in the women’s

Dodge · 02-07-2021 5:59pm

Also Ben and Megan Fletcher doing their adidas gear pics today so looks like he’s fit to travel.

Cosmo Kramer · 02-07-2021 9:21pm

We seem to be almost there at this stage with the final squad. Mostly just the rugby squad and athletes/swimming relay teams to be confirmed.

Looking at an overall team of between 115 and 120 it seems. Really looking forward to it now.

I'd say as many as 15 potential medal possibilities in there ranging from event favourites like the men's lightweight double sculls in rowing to longer shots like the golfers and showjumpers, I think something like five medals including one gold would be a successful but not unrealistic ambition for the team.

Dodge · 02-07-2021 10:00pm

Left to be decided; rugby squad, relays in Athletics and swimming and our trap shooter

Everything else is pretty much done.

Oldira · 02-07-2021 11:01pm

Dodge wrote: »

Left to be decided; rugby squad, relays in Athletics and swimming and our trap shooter

Everything else is pretty much done.

Not a dicky bird about the trap shooter. No idea if the quota was even accepted! Have the divers being officially confirmed?

Dodge · 02-07-2021 11:04pm

This is an Olympic Federation document. They list Dingley and Watson (earlier versions didn’t). They say the shooter will be named later

https://olympics.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/TOKYO-STATUS-UPDATE-QUALIFICATION-DOCUMENT-28-JUNE-2021-2.pdf

KevIRL · 03-07-2021 12:11pm

Any decent app/website with the schedule in GMT? The offical app only has JST and from what I can see no option to change the settings, which seems a bit mad for an official app.

Cosmo Kramer · 06-07-2021 9:38pm

https://juniorrowingnews.com/tokyo-olympics-preview-mens-double-sculls/

A preview of the men's double sculls event (not written from an Irish perspective). Hopefully the author will produce similar previews for the other rowing events of Irish interest.

Oldira · 06-07-2021 11:33pm

Cosmo Kramer wrote: »

https://juniorrowingnews.com/tokyo-olympics-preview-mens-double-sculls/

A preview of the men's double sculls event (not written from an Irish perspective). Hopefully the author will produce similar previews for the other rowing events of Irish interest.

He will. Does great previews for every rowing regatta. Obviously geared towards a British audience.

MrMusician18 · 07-07-2021 12:42am

Anyone any insight as to why Gurley and Boylan were dropped for the women's track cycling? Seems unbelievable to me that the two individuals that won the qualification aren't going to be the two competing.

Dodge · 07-07-2021 1:09am

MrMusician18 wrote: »

Anyone any insight as to why Gurley and Boylan were dropped for the women's track cycling? Seems unbelievable to me that the two individuals that won the qualification aren't going to be the two competing.

They didn’t win it on their own. The team was alway mixed. 5 different combinations in the last 8 qualifying events

2019 World Champs - McCurley/Boylan
2019/20 World Cup 1 - Kay/Sharpe
2019/20 World Cup 2 - Boylan/Gurley
2019/20 World Cup 3 - Boylan/Gurley
2019/20 World Cup 4 - Kay/Gurley
2019/20 World Cup 5 - Boylan/McCurley
2019/20 World Cup 6 - Kay/McCurley
2020 world champs - Boylan/Gurley

Kay was ineligible for the 2020 worlds and McCurley missed much of that season with injury. It’s also been well over a year since they last raced. We’ve no idea how they were looking in training etc

I’m sure it was a tough selection. I genuinely think it’s the only really tough selection that had to be made for the Olympic team. I know Boylan was upset by the decision.

It could have been any two from Boylan, Gurley, McCurley, Kay and even Lara Gillespie and I’m sure they all believed they should be one

Cosmo Kramer · 15-07-2021 8:02am

So the final team has been confirmed - 118 athletes, although at most 116 will compete as there are two spare relay runners.

A decent geographical spread also with 26 of the 32 counties providing competitors to the team by my count.

Just nine days till the competition starts - hopefully the story of the games does not end up being scores of athletes having to drop out of events due to Covid but, looking at how the Lions tour has been going, it's a distinct possibility.

Thousands of athletes from all around the world gathering in one location, mixed in with officials, staff and volunteers - what could go wrong...

On that note I see that the SA 7s team, who are due to play Ireland, are already in quarantine.

metaoblivia · 15-07-2021 9:29pm

I'm excited to see Meg Ryan and Rhys McClenaghan in Tokyo. Meg is the first gymnast trained in the ROI to represent Ireland in the Olympics. Ellis O'Reilly, who was the first female Irish gymnast to qualify to the Olympics in Rio, was trained in England which has a strong program. So this is a huge step for the Gymnastics Ireland High Performance system. And Meg's teammate Emma Slevin, who also trains in Ireland, was literally right behind her in qualifications. I wish both could go to Tokyo, but I know Emma plans on continuing in the sport and I think she has a great shot at 2024. With Rhys being a medal contender on pommel horse and the women's program flourishing & producing homegrown talent, the future looks really bright for gymnastics in Ireland.

Oldira · 18-07-2021 2:41pm

I wonder is Danielle Hill injured? Her instagram has her on the beach in Greystones today? Surely she should be in Tokyo by now?

Oldira · 18-07-2021 10:39pm

https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117627573#Comment_117627573

Ok. She’s flying out tomorrow. Leaving it late and missed the training camp.

KevIRL · 20-07-2021 1:21pm

https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117577590#Comment_117577590

The offical app is now showing the schedule in GMT.

All kicks off in 12 hours with day minus 2 😀

I see organisers are refusing to rule out the whole thing being cancelled though.

Strazdas · 20-07-2021 1:43pm

https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117636893#Comment_117636893

I can't imagine the Games being cancelled at 72 hours notice. It's a gigantic event across multiple locations and thousands of athletes have already arrived in Japan.

It's possible I suppose that individual events could be cancelled if there was a big Covid outbreak in a specific location.

Dodge · 20-07-2021 1:46pm

It’s just politics

There is zero chance of the games, or any events, being cancelled

Baseball and football continue to be played with large crowds in Japan

Strazdas · 20-07-2021 1:56pm

https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117637027#Comment_117637027

Indeed, and it's worth remembering that the Games are not a single 'event'. The rowing regatta takes place at one location, the sailing one at another, the equestrian at another etc. with large distances in kilometres between them. Cancelling the entire Games would be a crazy kneejerk reaction.

KevIRL · 20-07-2021 4:00pm

https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117637027#Comment_117637027

Ah yeah, think its just headline bait stuff.

Looking forward to your Irish medal hopes preview, no pressure now....

KevIRL · 21-07-2021 11:15am

Day minus 2 well underway with Softball and Womens Soccer. Good result for Sweden beating USA in the soccer

Mr.Nice Guy · 21-07-2021 6:56pm

Bit disappointed at RTE's offering this time. Was it 2016 or 2012 where they had a fantastic interactive, online service allowing you to basically watch whatever you wanted? Doesn't seem to be on offer this time.

Itssoeasy · 21-07-2021 7:07pm

https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117643347#Comment_117643347

2012 I think. Yeah it had all the sports in a grid and you could click on whatever you wanted and watch them live or some replays. Magic stuff.

Skid X · 21-07-2021 7:44pm

https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117643347#Comment_117643347

RTE and BBC don't have the same rights this year, they can only show a limited number of hours.

Eurosport Player is the place to go for multiple streams

Mr.Nice Guy · 21-07-2021 11:33pm

https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117643400#Comment_117643400

Yeah it was quality. Loved the option of flicking through whatever sport I wanted. Gave me a chance to check out those less popular sports that I tend to miss through regular coverage.

Don't think I'll bother with Eurosport as I've signed up to enough stuff as it is.

Strazdas · 22-07-2021 7:47pm

The boxing draw has been made. Tricky draws for Michaela Walsh and Aoife O'Rourke, but if they could get past them, they would only be one win away from a medal, as they are already in the last 16. Emmett Brennan also has a difficult enough draw, but the other four boxers will be happy enough, including Kellie H.

https://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/olympics/olympics-2021-kurt-walker-first-up-for-irish-boxers-while-kellie-harrington-gets-bye-to-last-16-40680059.html

MrMusician18 · 22-07-2021 7:51pm

https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117643400#Comment_117643400

The EBU won the rights for its members in 2012, hence the quality of the offering back then

Cosmo Kramer · 22-07-2021 10:21pm

Since Irish involvement in the Olympics kicks off in a few hours I might as well throw up my almost certainly incorrect predictions for posterity. The possibility of Covid affecting both Irish competitors and rival competitors makes this Olympics very hard to predict and it will almost certainly impact us in some way. Anyway I'm going for five Irish medals - 1 Gold, 1 Silver and 3 Bronze.

🥇O'Donovan/McCarthy - Rowing

🥈Harrington - Boxing

🥉Puspure - Rowing

🥉Byrne/Doyle - Rowing

🥉A Walsh - Boxing

And here are my 10 best hopes for Irish medals in order of likelihood...

1️⃣ O'Donovan/McCarthy

2️⃣ Harrington

3️⃣ Puspure

4️⃣ Byrne/Doyle

5️⃣ A Walsh

6️⃣ McClenaghan

7️⃣ M Walsh

8️⃣ Keogh/Lambe/Murtagh/Hegarty

9️⃣ Murphy

🔟 Lowry

Rigor Mortis · 22-07-2021 10:27pm

One of our showjumpers will medal.

If the sevens get a result against the US they could have a decent shot of a medal.

Cosmo Kramer · 23-07-2021 2:59am

Comfortable win for Sanita Puspure in her heat. A bit of a disaster for Byrne and Doyle though - last of four in their heat and now have to go into the repechage tomorrow morning. That would have been well below expectations, an awful start for them.

Road to Tokyo 2020 - Irish Olympic News

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