Rowing Ireland says it will «engage constructively» with an independent review into the welfare of athletes in its high performance programme.
The body was called before the Irish government’s Oireachtas Joint Committee on Sport on Wednesday after a number of concerns were raised about Rowing Ireland’s high performance programme in the lead up to the Olympics in Tokyo and Paris in 2021 and 2024, in a series of reports by the Sunday Independent.
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The hearing, which chief executive Michelle Carpenter did not attend due to illness, resulted in the government suggesting an independent review into athlete welfare and best practices «could be helpful».
At the hearing, chairperson for Rowing Ireland Barry McWilliams said it was «unacceptable» that any athlete should have negative experiences in its high performance unit.
Sport Ireland said it had stopped funding to Rowing Ireland, which stands at 1.4m euro (£1.2m) for high performance and a core funding of 400,000 euro (£346,000), due to concerns raised in July 2024.
In a statement, Rowing Ireland acknowledged that «there are lessons to be learned» and it was reviewing «all aspects» over the issue.
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«Rowing Ireland remains committed to reflection, learning and continuous improvement, as part of its ongoing work to support athletes and strengthen governance across the organisation,» it read.
«We welcome the focus placed on athlete safeguarding and recognise that, while Rowing Ireland is responsible for its athletes’ safeguarding and welfare, these responsibilities are also shared across the sporting system.»
There were six boats from Ireland at the delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021, as Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy won gold in the lightweight men’s double sculls while there was a bronze medal for Emily Hegarty, Aifric Keogh, Eimear Lambe and Fiona Murtagh in the women’s four.
In Paris, O’Donovan and McCarthy retained their gold medal while Phillip Doyle and Daire Lynch claimed bronze in the men’s double sculls.
