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Team Ireland and the Paris Olympics

Rings of glory

Letters to the Editor. Illustration: Paul Scott
The Irish Times - Letters to the Editor.
Thu Aug 15 2024 - 00:08

Sir, – “Post-Olympics comedown can leave athletes feeling exhausted, empty and aimless” (Kathy Sheridan, Opinion & Analysis, August 14th). Much like the rest of us. – Yours, etc,

JULIA DRENNAN,

Phibsboro,

Dublin 7.

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Sir, – It was a thrilling few weeks watching the Paris Olympics. But when does the Rose of Tralee start? – Yours, etc,

PJ McDERMOTT,

Westport,

Co Mayo.

Sir, – Not only does Miriam Lord convey the joy our fantastic Olympians have brought us (“Daniel Wiffen sings and Kellie Harrington takes the biscuit at Irish Olympic homecoming”, News, August 12th), her piece also encapsulates all that is good about being Irish.

From the parents and children, street vendors, the athletes themselves and even the politicians – it’s their humanity, warmth and, best of all, humour that shine through. – Yours, etc,

JENNIFER KELL,

Sutton,

Dublin 13.

Sir, – The new sport of “Breaking” at the Paris Olympics received a mixed reaction, but it was a positive way to include the cultural activities of the youth and this is to welcomed.

In order to do likewise for us older generations, I would like to suggest that the sport of “Dad Dancing” be included for the next Olympics. I have to admit, I quite fancy my chances! – Yours, etc,

JOHN HUGGARD,

Coolaney,

Co Sligo.

Sir, – Your letter writer (August 13th) who noted the preponderance of Corkonians on the RTÉ panel might note that all Irish Olympic medals on the athletics track this century have been won by Cork people.

The RTÉ panel appropriately reflected this! – Yours, etc,

SEAN ANGLAND,

Cork.

Sir, – Regarding Fianna Fáil Senator Malcolm Byrne’s suggestion that Ireland seek to stage the 2072 Olympic Games, I offer a counter-proposal.

With its 60 members on €78,826 a year (notwithstanding expenses and any committee top-ups), Seanad Éireann, a part-time operation, currently costs the Irish taxpayer €4.73 million annually in basic salaries alone. For that amount, we could pay each of the 134 members of the Irish Olympic team selected for Paris €35,295 per annum. – Yours etc,

JAMIE O’KEEFFE,

Tramore,

Co Waterford.

Sir, – It was with great sadness that I uninstalled my official Olympics app on my phone.

Roll on Los Angeles. – Yours, etc,

MIKE MORAN,

Clontarf,

Dublin 3.

Sir, – I would like to offer my support to Senator Malcolm Byrne’s recent suggestion that Ireland should look to host the Olympics in 2072. It would be great to have something to look forward to, even though I will be 108 years old in that year. It may keep me more active on my zimmer frame when I have an event like that to look forward to.

Obviously, there are a few points to be clarified. I presume that it will be held in Morton Stadium in Santry? All this stadium will need is a lick of paint to get it ready. How about Clontarf Baths for the swimming? As part of our bid, I would expect that the redevelopment of Casement Park will be included. We’ll have Dalymount Park, with a seating capacity of over 5,000. We can use some of the pitches in the Phoenix Park (the deer won’t mind). For the rowing events, we could widen the Liffey and remove all the old shopping trolleys resting in it. In truth, with global warming, half of Dublin may be under water by then. Also, it’s not too unreasonable to expect that work on Metro North will have been completed by 2072.

All this will be doable. After all, Ireland will probably have landed astronauts on the moon by then. The focus will then be on how to get them back.

In truth, the more serious sporting question will be whether Mayo will have won the All-Ireland by 2072.

Senator Byrne is correct when he says that cynics will question his proposal. He’s right, and I’m not going to be one of those cynics. So, let’s forget about reality and start to plan big. – Yours, etc,

BRIAN CULLEN,

Rathfarnham,

Dublin 16.