Sport can unify the nation says Minister Thomas Byrne
“Rhasidat Adeleke is just such an excellent role model"
MINISTER of State for Sport Thomas Byrne has backed Ireland’s Olympians to be a unifying force in Paris against the backdrop of anti-immigration protests at home.
And Byrne praised Tallaght’s Rhasidat Adeleke in particular as a role model as she aims for 400m glory at the Games.
“The one thing about sport is how it can bring us together and I think sport will bring us together as a country,” said Byrne.
“If there’s one thing can that unify entire countries (it’s sport).
“I know in my own area people are very, very proud of Jennifer Lehane in boxing, Kathy Baker (rugby sevens) and Cian O’Connor (equestrian).
“In local communities all over Ireland, you have people really proud of their athletes. It just brings everyone together and anyone who’s not on that page is really missing out.”
Byrne was attending the UNESCO Change The Game forum in Paris where policy-makers from around the globe were meeting to discuss how sport can transform societies.
Adeleke has been the target of racism in the past and her coach Edrick Floréal recently spoke about how she was badly affected by online trolls.
The Tallaght sprinter will carry Ireland’s hopes of a first track medal since Sonia O’Sullivan at Sydney in 2000 and Byrne praised the Tallaght runner’s work ethic.
“Rhasidat is just such an excellent role model who has worked really hard and set out targets and stuck to her programme,” said Byrne.
“The way she’s done it, to keep setting and reaching targets, we could all learn a bit from that.”
Byrne reaffirmed the Government’s position on the participation of athletes from countries involved in conflict, such as Israel and Russia.
And he doesn’t expect any Irish athlete to take an individual political stance and refuse to compete against an athlete from another nation during the Games.
“I don’t think that’s going to arise at these Olympics,” said Byrne. “Our athletes are taking part and they’re taking part to win. And I want to support each and every one of our athletes who is taking part.”
Byrne said the decision to allow athletes from any country to compete at the Games rested with the individual sporting bodies, the International Olympic Committee and the French government.
“First of all it’s a matter for the French government in terms of visas and all that,” said Byrne.
“Fundamentally it’s a matter for the individual sporting associations.
“Quite frankly, they all have different rules. They all operate at a different level to governments, they’re international bodies, our reach isn’t as strong as people might think that it is.
“All we can do is take part and allow the Games to happen and it’s really just left to the international sporting organisations.”
Byrne also revealed there had been no new talks with his UK counterparts on the redevelopment of Casement Park since the change of government in Westminster, but he is expecting dialogue in the coming days.
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