Olympic federation of Ireland
To mark the beginning of the journey for the Olympic Torch to the stadium in Tokyo, Circle K launched their ‘KeepIt Lit’ initiative.
This is a continuation of their Here for Ireland campaign which benefits athletes in that they receive tokens towards their fuel and food in Circle K stations, which is generated by the community who purchase in the stations and use the Play Or Park initiative.
To date the generated digital coins have resulted in approximately €750,000 being shared evenly across Team Ireland athletes.
Last weekend it was announced that international spectators will not attend the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Following the announcement, the official ticket reseller for the OFI, Elamys Group, contacted anyone who had purchased tickets to inform them that they will be receiving a refund.
This information was shared with our athletes and member federations additionally.
The OFI is in the final stages of selling and moving out of the Olympic House. With most of our athletes and member federations being based out of Abbotstown it makes sense to be close to them.
Badminton
Joshua Magee and Paul Reynolds are into the quarterfinals of Orleans Open BWF Super Tour 100 event in France.
The pair beat Julien Carraggi and Jona Van Nieuwkerke of Belgium in the round of 32 21-1421-17. The Irish pair followed this up with a win over Phillip Klindt and Mads Thogersen of Denmark 21-19 21-14.
The pair lost out their quarter-final to England’s Sean Vendy and Ben Lane. The Irish go into a training block after this event before the European Championships which starts on April 27th in Kyiv Ukraine.
Canoeing
Last weekend, Jake Cochrane won a bronze medal in the C1 Men Final at the first race of the 2021 Pyrenees Cup, an ICF ranking series held in northern Spain and southern France.
Cochrane showed great pace all weekend, starting with 3rd in the qualification round, and carrying the momentum to his medal winning performance with a clean run of 93.70 seconds in the final.
Also in action was 2012 Olympian Hannah Craig, who showed the strength of the Irish Team this year, making the finals of the K1 Women, finishing ninth.
Both will race again this weekend in the next round of the Pyrenees Cup, in Pau, France.
Joining them on the start line will be Tokyo Olympian Liam Jegou, who last year won a World Cup gold on the same course, and can be expected to deliver another strong performance.
Equestrian
It was another strong weekend for the Irish showjumpers with major victories for both Nicky Galligan and Darragh Kenny.
Galligan, riding The Irish Sport Horse Javas Miss Jordan, claimed a four-star Grand Prix win in California, while Kenny scooped the top prize in the three-star Grand Prix in the three-star Grand Prix at the winter Equestrian festival in Florida
Golf
Amateur Olivia Mehaffey finished tied for 6th at the LPGA Symetra Tour Carlisle Classic last weekend with rounds of 69, 64, 71 and 73.
Next week:
- LPGA Tour (Stephanie Meadow, Leona Maguire): First Major Championship of 2021: ANA Inspiration
- PGA Tour (field unconfirmed) Valero Texas Open
- Amateur: Olivia Mehaffey and Julie McCarthy play at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur
Modern Pentathlon
The Irish team of Natalya Coyle, Arthur Lanigan-O’Keeffe and Sive Brassil are currently competing at the UIPM 2020 Pentathlon World Cup Cairo.
Both Coyle and Brassil moved through to the finals in the women’s event, while double Olympian Lanigan-O’Keeffe fell short of qualifying for the men’s final.
The women’s final take place today, and the Mixed Relay takes place on Sunday March 28.
Currently Team Ireland has qualified one spot in Tokyo, in the women’s event, thanks to the performance of Coyle at the European Championships in 2019.
The rest of the spots will be determined through ranking.
Rowing
Eight boats were selected by Rowing Ireland to compete in the European Championships which take place in Varese, Italy, from the 9-11 April.
The main talking point was the selection of current World Champions Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy to compete in the men’s Lightweight Double Sculls.
Olympic silver medallist Gary O’Donovan will race the Lightweight Single Sculls. Sanita Puspure will not be competing in these European Championships.
Triathlon
World Triathlon has moved its qualification window from 1 May to 21 June. This will mean an intense period of competition for the Irish athletes targeting Tokyo.
At the moment Russell White and Carolyn Hayes are sitting within the ranking for the Games.
