Reviews

Sport Ireland has completed quadrennial reviews since the 2000 Games in Sydney. These reviews have had both a Games and system element to them, with a focus on Ireland’s preparations for, and performances at, the Olympic and Paralympic Games, while also assessing how the high performance system as a whole has matured and developed. 

The reviews are designed with the primary purpose of providing a fair and objective assessment of Ireland’s Olympic and Paralympic campaigns, and to provide a series of NGB-specific and system-wide recommendations to ensure that Irish high performance sport continues to improve. The robust review process involves a series of specific stages, significant NGB and stakeholder involvement, and independent oversight.

2024 marked a significant change in the review process, which is reflective of how much the high performance system has matured in the last decade. This was the first time that a standalone system-oriented review was undertaken, with the Games-specific reviews being led by the Olympic Federation of Ireland and Paralympics Ireland. 

Paris Cycle Review

Covering the years 2021-2024, the Paris Cycle Review aimed to ensure that the high performance system is well-positioned to maximise the potential of Irish sport in future Olympic and Paralympic Cycles. To that end it also outlines key recommendations for further development, for NGBs in receipt of High Performance Programme funding, as well as system-wide recommendations for key stakeholders to implement. 

Using the seven pillars of the Sport Ireland High Performance Strategy (2021-2032) as a guiding framework, the Paris Cycle Review also served as a ‘checking point’ for how the High Performance Strategy is being implemented, four years after it commenced. 

Paul McDermott, Sport Ireland Director of High Performance and NGBs, said: “We would like to thank all of those who have contributed to the Paris Cycle Review. In particular, we would like to thank the athletes; over 185 athletes engaged in the process. As reflected in the development of our High Performance Strategy, we place a real priority on capturing the athlete voice at critical points of the system’s development.”  

This review also identified challenges facing NGBs and the system, as well as opportunities to evolve and transform Irish high performance sport in future Cycles. The implementation of the identified recommendations will form a key piece of work for Sport Ireland throughout the LA and Brisbane Cycles.

Collaboration between Sport Ireland, NGBs, the Olympic Federation of Ireland, Paralympics Ireland, Sport Northern Ireland, the Sport Ireland Institute, the Sport Northern Ireland Sports Institute, and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, will be crucial to ensure these recommendations are actioned, and to ensure the system is transitioning towards its shared goals.