Grants To Athletes

Sir, - Sports followers will welcome Dr Jim McDaid's announcement that over one million pounds is being granted to 207 of our…

Sir, - Sports followers will welcome Dr Jim McDaid's announcement that over one million pounds is being granted to 207 of our leading athletes, in 25 different sports. This is indeed a move forward.

BLE athletes will share £278,000, funding to each athlete being based on a grading: i.e. world class, international and development athlete.

Could I ask our Sports Minister a question? Why has Patrice Dockery, our superb wheelchair athlete, not been graded as a world class athlete? Patrice has competed successfully in world class competition since 1987. A versatile lady, she has victories in distances from 100 metres to marathon. I hope to see her achievements acknowledged. - Yours, etc., Noel Henry,

Clonliffe Harriers Athletic Club, Greystones, Co Wicklow.