OCI President Sarah Keane says decision needs to be made on future of Irish boxing
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The President of the Olympic Council of Ireland Sarah Keane has said Ireland's participation in boxing at the next Olympics will depend on whether Ireland will join the new World Boxing International Federation.
Speaking to RTÉ ahead of this afternoon's homecoming for Team Ireland, Keane said "I think we are at decision time for boxing at the Olympic Games that means that our own federation and their great boxing community, great clubs, great people, they've got a decision to make.
"If they don't choose to go with the new World Boxing International Federation then we won't have Irish boxing at the Olympic games.
"If they make that decision that's great and if not then we're gonna have to consider what the other options are."
Keane was speaking on the success of the games and how to continue to improve the structures within Ireland to keep the momentum going.
"Its just been amazing I think people and the athletes feel so special that so many people have come out to see them and celebrate their successes.
"Obviously success is different for people, some improving their ranking, some medals but it's just we had a brilliant team atmosphere in Paris and to come home now for everyone to feel that Ireland really supports them is amazing.
"I'm sure they knew that this is the first civic reception for a team without feeling like over They have been told that there is over 20,000 people here that its maximum capacity.
"I don't think most have ever felt this level of almost like being a celebrity. They're very proud. They are a special group of people, they feel very strongly about doing well they're very proud of being Irish and you know going abroad and doing the country proud so it's lovely for them to come home and to be part of it now at home.
"I think the system is developing and I think it's really important that we continue our investment, that consistency across the next couple of years I think we need more visibility around Olympic sports over the next couple of years as well because there is European Championships and World Championships and a lot of these athletes are competing all the time at these different events.
"And then obviously we have to look after them, they are people first and athletes second and they'll have their ups and downs after this amazing experience the government will be launching a new national swimming strategy or the first ever national swimming strategy over the next coming weeks so we are excited about that.
"We do have to do more about swimming pool infrastructure but I think you know these athletes have come from situations where for years they were in 25 meter pools as well and they can show what can be done and I think the system is more joined now so I think the future is bright."
Meanwhile Taoiseach Simon Harris welcomed the athletes home and thanked them inspiring the country and the next generation.
"There has been very little work done in this country for the last fortnight cause every opportunity we have had we have all been glued to our screens and on your behalf I just want to say a massive thank you to these men and women who have inspired our nation go raith mile maith agat.
"We have talked a lot about lighting flames and lighting Olympic flames but really what these men and women have done is they have lit a flame in all of the young people right across Ireland.
"I have met so many little tiny kids, including my own, and see so many here today who now believe that they too can be the very best in the world. That they can represent Ireland. They can win medals. That’s what they have done. And what we will now do is invest in sports now further, and further and further cause we believe in these athletes and that is going to be the legacy from the Paris games."
He went on to say that in a time of difficulty and darkness Team Ireland have brought light and joy and lifted the spirits of the nation.
"I don’t remember a time like this. This has been absolutely incredible. It has lifted our spirits. It has given us hope, its given us something to be glued in a really difficult and dark time in the world.
"And what I am only so delighted today is that the athletes and their families who have been away in Paris, who have been away in France, are getting to see what its like. Because up until now they have been somewhat in the Olympic bubble. But they are back here today realizing that this whole country, 5.6 million of us, have been cheering them on.
"We have been hoarse from cheering them on and today we get a chance to say one amazing thing to them – thank you, thank you, thank you."