Walsh Re-Elected to OFI Board

Triathlon Ireland President, Lochlann Walsh has been re-elected to the Executive Committee of the Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI) for a second term.

Mr Walsh was nominated by Triathlon Ireland and was one of nine candidates contesting seven positions at yesterday’s EGM of the OFI, which took place online because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

It follows the appointment of Triathlon Ireland Vice President Bernard Hanratty to World Triathlon’s Women’s Committee late last month and Triathlon Ireland CEO Darren Coombes’s appointment as Secretary General of the Association of Commonwealth Triathlon Federations during the summer.

Second Term for Walsh on Historic Gender Balanced Board 

Lochlann Walsh begins his second OFI Board term, which will cover both the 2021 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Olympic Games. In an historic first, the Executive Committee of the Olympic Federation of Ireland has achieved full gender balance, however all seven vacant positions were filled on a straight count without the need for any gender quota provisions.  

Mr Walsh said he was very humbled and honoured by the trust placed in him by the Irish Olympic family. 

“The staff and board team at the OFI have made great progress over the past four years and it is important that the OFI continues to take a leadership role in Irish sport.  I was, therefore, really really proud that the new board is fully gender balanced and that this happened naturally, without the need to resort to quotas.  It again proves to me that if you create the right culture and give talented people the opportunity they, and the organisation they serve, will thrive,” Mr Walsh said.

He added: “I am very excited about the next four years and looking forward to playing my part in the continuing evolution of Olympic Sport in Ireland.” 

Coombes for Association of Commonwealth Triathlon Federations

Earlier this year, Darren Coombes was appointed as Secretary General of the Association of Commonwealth Triathlon Federations – a body of 54 countries established to promote triathlon as a sport in the Commonwealth Games and Youth Games and support the work of World Triathlon in developing the sport globally. 

With Birmingham 2022 on the horizon for our Northern Ireland athletes, this is a key appointment. Triathlon Ireland’s presence in Birmingham will be significant as we aim to qualify male and female elite athletes, elite para athletes and a Mixed Relay Team. Off the field, Technical Official Hugh McAtamney has been appointed as Technical Delegate for Triathlon and Paratriathlon at the Games.

Hanratty for World Triathlon Women’s Committee

In late November, Triathlon Ireland Vice President, Bernard Hanratty was re-elected to the World Triathlon Women’s Committee. The committee is responsible for advising World Triathlon on the development and implementation of their policies relating to women’s triathlon and for promoting equal opportunity for women.

Olympic Federation of Ireland – Full Rundown of Positions