OFI Adds Six Members,eyes ‌LA 2028 Olympic Games

⁤ ‌ Updated June ⁢29,2025
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Dublin-The Olympic Federation of Ireland ⁤(OFI) welcomed six​ new⁣ members during its‍ Annual ⁤General Meeting (AGM) held this ​week at ‍the Alex Hotel. Representatives from across​ Irish sport convened‍ to celebrate ⁣the⁣ success⁣ of Paris 2024 and strategize for the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and ⁣the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

The six sporting bodies unanimously approved for⁢ full ​membership are Ireland Lacrosse, ‌American Football ⁤Ireland, Cricket Ireland, Squash Ireland, Softball Ireland, and Baseball Ireland. Their inclusion marks a significant expansion for the OFI.

Minister ‌of State Charlie McConalogue opened the AGM,⁢ congratulating Team Ireland on their historic ‍performance at the Paris 2024 Games, calling it Ireland’s most successful Olympics. McConalogue’s address set an optimistic tone as the Irish sporting‌ community looks toward ⁤future competitions. The role of the OFI⁣ is to support these athletes.

OFI ‍President Lochlann Walsh updated members on Ireland’s⁢ participation in ‍a European Olympic Committees​ (EOC) Erasmus-supported initiative,​ designed to⁤ unlock⁣ new EU⁣ sports funding opportunities.​ This international agreement ‌aims ⁣to bolster resources for Irish athletes.

The AGM also ‌saw the approval of governance improvements. ⁤These⁢ included‍ new procedures for mid-term board election vacancies, confirmed voting rights for the Athletes’ Commission at agms and EGMs, and general⁢ updates to modernize the OFI Constitution. ⁣The Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) received conditional approval for full membership, pending fulfillment of specific criteria.

CEO⁣ Peter Sherrard presented ⁤a ​positive financial and strategic​ outlook,highlighting growth in commercial ventures,philanthropy,and collaboration with the ⁣Federation of ​Irish ⁤Sport. Sherrard emphasized the need for stronger connections with the education and‍ health sectors to maximize long-term sporting opportunities.

Chef de Missions⁢ Gavin Noble and Nancy Chillingworth provided​ detailed ‌reports on preparations for LA ⁢2028 and Milano Cortina ⁣2026. Athletes’ Commission Chair Aifric Keogh urged‍ all National Federations to⁣ establish athlete representative bodies,⁢ ensuring ⁤athlete ‌voices are heard.

⁢⁣ ⁣ “We are vrey excited to ​welcome the six new full⁣ members, as we look ‌forward‍ to their journey towards LA 2028,” said OFI ‍President Lochlann⁢ Walsh. “Thank you to all members⁣ for supporting the⁢ continued strengthening of our governance.”

What’s​ next

The OFI’s focus now shifts to supporting its new‌ members and preparing for the challenges and opportunities presented by ⁣Milano Cortina 2026 ⁤and the LA 2028 olympic ⁣Games. The organization aims to build ‍on the ‌momentum from Paris 2024 and foster a thriving sporting habitat‌ in ‌Ireland.