Teams from Britain and Ireland
Participating in the 2010 Winter Olympics
 PATRICK HICKEY, President of the Olympic Council of Ireland. He is also President of the European Olympic Committee and a member of the International Olympic Committee. He is pictured above at the Olympics in Greece. |
By CATHOLINE BUTLER
VANCOUVER – Over 6,000 of the best athletes from around the world will be in Vancouver and Whistler to compete in the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics between February 12 and March 21.
TEAM GREAT BRITAIN
The British Olympic Association (BOA) is the National Olympic Committee for Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
They have 52 athletes participating across six sports: biathlon, bobsleigh, curling, luge, skating, and skiing. The 11 disciplines include: biathlon, bobsleigh, skeleton, curling, luge, figure skating, short track speed skating, alpine skiing, cross country skiing, freestyle skiing, and snowboard.
As the excitement builds towards the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, Team GB athletes are currently preparing for their big moment at the British Olympic Association’s (BOA) Preparation Camp in Calgary.
By the start of the Vancouver Games, 42 of the 52 athletes selected to Team GB will have passed through Calgary.
The camp is home to Team GB short track speed skaters, cross-country skiers, half pipe boarders, ski cross athlete Sarah Sauvey and snowboard cross athlete Zoe Gillings.
Adam Parsons, Director of Sport Liaison, blogged, “These people very rarely see each other, and now they’re getting a chance to compare notes on their different sports. It’s that feeling of growing camaraderie that’s really struck me since I arrived in the camp.”
BOA HQ staff have been hard at work planning the Preparation Camp for over four years. At its heart is a fully fitted out performance centre, with spinning bikes, power plates and is aided by BOA physiotherapists, doctors, sport scientists and HQ support staff.
For more on Team GB or to leave a message of support, visit their website at: vancouver2010.teamgb.com.
IRISH OLYMPIC TEAM
Just before the Irish Olympic team left Ireland for Vancouver, I had an early morning conversation with Patrick Hickey, President of the Olympic Council of Ireland. He is also President of the European Olympic Committee and a member of the International Olympic Committee.
“All our athletes will be based in Whistler because we have no ice hockey or skating teams,” said Hickey.
“We have two female bob teams, one male on the skeleton, a male and a female Alpine skiers, and one cross country skier. We have six in total.
“I will be in Whistler on February 9 for the Olympic flag raising ceremony in the Olympic Village in Whistler, and then I will be in Vancouver for the official opening of Irish House on February 11.
“After the athletes have competed in Whistler, they will come to Vancouver to attend Irish House and be present at the closing ceremonies for the Olympic Games.”
Hickey will be in Vancouver and Whistler for the full period from the start of the Olympics to the finish on March 2.
“As a member of the International Olympic Committee,” he said, “I will be attending meetings at the beginning of the Games and at the end of the Games.
“I will of course be meeting with John Furlong, who is a very good friend, and has been very helpful to us right throughout the whole campaign.”
Speaking about the disciplines of the Irish team, Hickey said, “You must understand that Ireland is not a big snow tradition country.
“In European terms, we are sort of like a beginner and we are up against countries like Austria, Germany and France. But the whole Olympic motto is to participate, not necessarily to win, and we are adapting that philosophy.
“From an Irish point of view, it has taken us many years to get acceptance from the Irish public on entering teams in the Winter Olympics.
“Our first Irish team entered the Winter Olympics in Albertville, France in 1992, and we were made a laughing stock in the Irish media for Irish people participating in winter sports.
“But, gradually we have progressed. What has helped us greatly is that there is a huge percentage of the Irish population now taking a winter skiing vacation.
“They now realize how skilful this sport is and how much these kids have to go through and endure to qualify for the Olympic Games.
“So, all these athletes that have qualified and, from an Irish standpoint, it’s a unique qualification.”
| 
