SPÓRT ÉIREANN SPORT IRELAND The Rio Review The official report into Ireland's campaign for the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games RIO 2016 REVIEW Foreword The Olympic and Paralympic review process is an essential component of the Irish high performance system. The implementation of the recommendations of the quadrennial reviews has been a driver of Irish high performance programmes for individual sports and the system as a whole. The Rio Review process has been comprehensive and robust. The critical feature of this Review is that the National Governing Bodies (NGBs) took a greater level of control in debriefing their own experiences. This Review reflects the views of all the key players within the high performance system. Endorsed by Sport Ireland, it is a mandate for the NGBs to fully implement the recommendations that will improve the high performance system in Ireland. There were outstanding performances in Rio at both the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Olympic roll of honour received a new addition in Rowing, with Sailing repeating its podium success achieved in Moscow 1980, demonstrating Ireland's ability to be competitive in multiple disciplines. Team Ireland has built on the success of Beijing and London, and notwithstanding problems that arose, Rio was a clear demonstration that Ireland can compete at the very highest levels of international sport. Sport Ireland is committed to the ongoing development of the Sport Ireland Institute and adding to the extensive facilities on the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus. These are real commitments to high performance sport in Ireland that will make a significant difference to Irish athletes who aspire to compete at the top level. Olympic and Paralympic sport is a brutally competitive arena. Ireland has shown it can succeed and has the potential to be even better. A strong review process and adherence to the outcomes of the process is one key element in building success. We want to thank everyone who contributed to the Rio Review and making it a strong and valuable contribution to the development of Irish high performance sport. Kieran Mulvey John Treacy Chairman, Sport Ireland Chief Executive, Sport Ireland i RIO 2016 REVIEW Introduction by the High Performance Committee of Sport Ireland Sport Ireland began the process of reviewing The specific target of 3 medals was not reached the overall Rio Cycle (2013 - 2016) in advance at the Rio Olympic Games. In boxing, where of the commencement of the Olympic Ireland was expected to secure medal success, Games in August and the Paralympic Games beyond the system issues identified, legitimate in September. This Review Process was fully concerns existed around the adjudication in completed by December 2016. The process Rio. was robust, with a series of specific stages, significant NGB involvement, and independent Ireland won 11 medals at the Paralympic Games oversight. It was designed with the purpose of which exceeded the pre-Games target of 8. providing a fair assessment of Ireland’s Olympic The medal success in Rio was achieved through and Paralympic campaign; and beyond this, the strength of 3 high quality programmes producing independent evidence-based that supported some outstanding athletes. The recommendations which will be essential in quality of the coaching was also notable. Credit improving the Irish high performance system as is due to everyone involved in Paralympics we move forward. Ireland in their efforts to replicate and exceed the successes of London 2012. Given the Overall, Team Ireland delivered a high standard changes to Rio's competition programme, of performance at the Rio 2016 Olympic and the team's success was made even more Paralympic Games. The performances showed remarkable. that Team Ireland was well prepared and had campaigned for the Olympics and Paralympics The Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) had a based on a strong record of achievement in the central role in leading Team Ireland at Rio. Rio cycle. Notwithstanding significant national and international attention on the OCI in Rio, there The overall 2016 Games environment in Rio was limited comment made in the Review on presented a number of difficulties for all the OCI operating as a performance barrier. competitors and some issues specific to the However, the criticisms of the OCI should be Irish Olympic team. These challenges were addressed with the purpose of developing acknowledged by athletes and team staff better relationships moving into the Tokyo during the review process. cycle. At the Olympic Games there were two silver In general, there was positive feedback on medals won. These exceptional achievements the pre-Games holding camp in Uberlandia. were supported by superb performances across However, it is recognised that this model does a number of disciplines. Beyond podium results not work for every sport and its suitability is in Rio, Team Ireland saw significant increases in specific to where the Games are being hosted. the number of top-10 and top-20 performances The purpose and extent of a pre-Games holding over previous Games. camp is an area for further consideration in advance of Tokyo 2020. ii RIO 2016 REVIEW One of the themes that emerged from There is an unambiguous link between success the review is an apparent disconnect in high performance sport and levels of between some NGB boards and their high investment. There is view widely shared in the performance programmes. It has been high performance community that increased highlighted that within some programmes, investment is required within the Irish system. the Board's understanding and support for However, to the credit of the participating high performance requires improvement. This sports, they did not fixate on financial issues. is an issue meriting further exploration as the In general, they reflected internally on matters governance of HP programmes is a concern of that impacted performance and the reviews Sport Ireland. are more useful as a result. The review findings highlighted the strong level The review process has generated extensive of performance services provided by Sport information and the individual reports are Ireland Institute. There is a desire to gain access a substantial piece of work, primarily for to further support if capacity is available in personnel within NGB’s and key stakeholders in the future. In particular, there are suggestions the high performance system. Each NGB had a that preparing athletes for the post-Games significant role in developing the reports which experience is an area that is valued and should should make them immediately relevant to be enhanced. NGBs should collaborate to a their requirements and easier to adopt. greater extent in this project. In order to maximise the impact of the As previously referenced, the IABA’s high review, each of the NGBs are now tasked with performance programme failed to deliver on addressing and fully implementing the specific its pre-Games medal expectations. While the recommendations. Sport Ireland’s investment performances in Rio were disappointing, the in high performance programmes will be IABA’s review has proposed a range of strong dependent on clear implementation plans recommendations which provides a blueprint from each NGB in their future strategic and for the sport to progress. performance plan documents. It was a landmark Olympic Games for men’s Furthermore, from Sport Ireland’s point of view hockey having qualified for Rio 2016 after there is a need to assess how high performance narrowly missing out on London 2012. This was investment can be optimally targeted at the first time since 1948 that a team sport programmes best placed to consistently was contested by Ireland. This highlighted achieve medals at international level in the the potential of Irish teams with rugby 7s and future. Based on insights gathered throughout cricket also part of the Irish system. While the Rio cycle, a proposed high performance team sports provide huge opportunities, the investment framework has been developed and Rio experience raises a question on how team will be implemented for the Tokyo cycle. sports in general can be best supported in the future. iii RIO 2016 REVIEW Contents Foreword i Introduction ii The Review Process 2 Team Ireland Performances 6 Individual Reports High Performance Stakeholder Review 7 Athletics Ireland 23 Badminton Ireland 33 Cycling Ireland 41 Confederation of Golf in Ireland 55 Gymnastics Ireland 69 Hockey Ireland 73 Horse Sport Ireland 83 Irish Athletic Boxing Association 93 Irish Sailing Association 113 Paralympics Ireland 119 Pentathlon Ireland 141 Rowing Ireland 149 Swim Ireland 159 Triathlon Ireland 169 Appendices Appendix 1: Survey Results 177 Appendix 2: Rio 2016 Olympic Games Performance 182 Appendix 3: Rio 2016 Olympic Medal Table 184 Appendix 4: Rio 2016 Olympic Medal Table (by capita) 185 Appendix 5: Rio 2016 Olympic Medal Table (by GDP) 187 Appendix 6: Rio 2016 Paralympic Games Performance 189 Appendix 7: Rio 2016 Paralympic Medal Table 191 1 RIO 2016 REVIEW The Review Process The main objectives for each stage of this Review Process included: PHASE 1: PHASE 2: PHASE 3: Pre-Games Assessment Post-Games Online Facilitator-led Independent - conducted by Surveys – administered Reviews – involving key high Sport Ireland and to athletes, coaches, performance stakeholders completed by the High support staff, within each sport participating Performance Lead in Performance Directors, at the 2016 Olympic and each sport Chief Executive Officers, Paralympic Games