Development in Sport:Former GAA president Sean Kelly will head up a new Government backed initiative called the Irish Institute of Sport which will be based at the National Sports Campus in Abbotstown with the aim of improving Ireland's elite athletes.
Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism John O'Donoghue announced Kelly as the executive chairman for the new Institute, whose primary focus will be athletes competing ay major sporting events such as the Olympic and Paralymic Games, European and World Championships.
"The Institute of Sport is an integral part of Ireland's sport infrastructure and it will make an immense contribution to the ongoing process of ensuring that our elite athletes are given every resource and opportunity to enhance their performances at major international events," said O'Donoghue.
"It will play a key role in preparing our athletes for the Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and in particular for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
"As part of its many functions, the Institute will provide our
athletes with access to high quality
sports science and medicine practitioners, it will recruit
full-time, professional elite coaches, and it will introduce
sports medicine controls, especially in prehabilitative screening
and injury management."
Responding to his appointment, Kelly said: "I am delighted and honoured to be charged with leading the new Irish Institute of Sport. The Institute represents a major leap forward for elite sport in Ireland, providing a complete support structure for our most talented athletes, allowing them reach their full potential."
Until the facilities at Abbotstown are completed, the Institute will service athletes' needs through existing facilities including working with third level institutions.
The Institute proposal arose from a key recommendation of the Athens Review. In response to this the Irish Sports Council (ISC) established an Institute Expert Advisory Group, led by Dan Flinter.
A Report by the Advisory Group was submitted to the Minister who secured Government approval for its establishment. The Government provided an estimated €1million to the ISC to begin the process of establishing the Institute of Sport, which will be a wholly owned subsidiary of the Council.
It is expected that the Institute's budget will be €3.5m in its first full year in operation in 2007 and that it will initially target 15 focus sports and their top athletes.