THANK YOU PARIS 2024
As the Paris 2024 Olympic Games come to a close, we look back on an incredible two weeks for sport. Irish Sailing couldn’t be prouder of the incredible journey Team Ireland Sailing have taken us on, from qualification to their very last mark rounding in Marseille. Our athletes have showcased not only their exceptional skill but also the hard work, resilience, and dedication that brought them to this prestigious stage of international sport.
Robert, Sean, Finn and Eve you have made your country immensely proud and for that we can't thank you enough.
But, behind every athlete is a team of supporters who help make it all possible. As they say, it truly does 'take a village.' From the Coaches, Physiotherapists, Psychologists, Nutritionists, Meteorologists and more to families and friends who have been there through every high and low. Their unwavering support has been instrumental in driving our athletes forward.
James O'Callaghan (Performance Director), Rory Fitzpatrick (Head Coach), Matt McGovern (49er Coach), Vasilij Zgobar (ILCA 7 Coach), Mark McCabe (Physio and Strength & Conditioning), Mark Wilson (Psychologist), Kate Kirby (Psychologist), Bill O'Hara (Rules Consultant), Willemien Phelan (Meterologist), Scott Flannigan (Data analysis) and the Irish Sailing Comms team - Thank You
We also extend our deepest gratitude to the broader sailing community, including the clubs, sponsors and the army of volunteers who rallied behind the team every step of the way. Your encouragement, both on and off the water, has helped create an atmosphere of positivity and belief that fuelled our athletes during this incredible journey.
Our athletes reflect on their journeys -
Robert Dickson, 49er Helm: Fourth. It's still a really good result. It's just a shame that it a panned out the way did. We're really proud of the process we stuck to. We were both there mentally, and it was just very small mistake, a very small margin. That's just one race at the end. The rest, the entire week, we are really happy and proud with how we sailed, this is our best result yet...
Sean Waddilove, 49er Crew: If there were no such thing as Olympic medals we would be immensely happy with the result. It doesn't change how proud we are of our performance, our best to date, on the biggest sporting stage. We trusted the process and believed it would all come together.
A performance like this is not possible without years of support from family and friends, coaches, training partners, Skerries Sailing Club, Howth Yacht Club, Team Ireland, Sport Ireland, Irish Sailing and our personal sponsors. To the Irish fans out in Marseille, thank you, you were there in the scorching heat to cheer us out and in, waiting patiently through delays and long days. The cheers and roars never faded. You really are the best of supporters.
Finn Lynch, ILCA 7 Sailor: I hoped for more, I've mixed emotions - I'm happy with how I fought back but also a little disappointed with my results. I'm sad but proud. The support I've received over the last few weeks has been really overwhelming. So, thank you! The Irish really are the best supporters in the world! What a journey to get to the start line of an Olympic games.
Eve McMahon, ILCA 6 Sailor: I raced my heart out, I gave it everything I had.
I'm hugely proud and I really have to thank my family for all their help and support. I would never be here without them... they've been with me through the ups and the downs, I don't think anybody really understands how much they've helped me. My two older brothers... I think I've made them proud and I'm looking forward to giving it absolutely everything for the LA cycle.
The LA cycle is going to be a new chapter and something I'm really looking forward to; this has just made me so much hungrier, you know, just to miss your your goal of making the top ten by a couple points... I'm going to absolutely smoke it next cycle, it's all I can say.
All the athletes demonstrated their world class capabilities at the Olympic Games. The team have yet to formally return to their clubs and supporters at home but when they do, they will certainly be welcomed as heroes for their effort and commitment. They may not realise it yet, but they are part of the reason that our pathway and academies are brimming with young talent, inspired by our Olympians. - James O'Callaghan, Irish Sailing's Performance Director
This is only the beginning of a bright future for some of our athletes and we look forward to seeing our Irish Sailing Team continue to grow and excel, and we have no doubt that Irish sailing will be a force to be reckoned with for many years to come.
Next up: LA 2028