Report: Focus key to Olympic success

The report, which is essentially a review of Ireland’s performance at the Athens games, recommends increased government funding for a smaller number of sports in which the Irish traditionally have a better chance of winning medals.
The Sunday Tribune newspaper revealed that the report will suggest that Ireland follows the lead of a country like New Zealand by focusing on a narrower range of disciplines which have brought success such as rowing, canoeing, boxing and shooting.
Ireland should also establish an Institute for Sporting Excellence in which potential Olympic competitors would be identified at an early age and funded as full-time professionals for up to seven years before each Games.