OLYMPIC GAMES: Irelands Olympians (RTE 2 Monday 19:30)

Irish Strengths
Boxing, Throwing, Shooting, Cycling, Walking

Featuring... Kenny Egan, Darren Sutherland (Boxing), Eileen O'Keeffe (Hammer), Derek Burnett (Shooting), Nicholas Roche, David O'Loughlin (Cycling), Rob Heffernan (Athletics)

Of the more than 300 gold medals to be awarded in an Olympics, just 47 can be won in athletics. A mere 34 are up for grabs in swimming, another of the highest-profile sports.

Recognising this, many nations have had significant success targeting events outside the mainstream, or by playing to their national strengths. Denmark has done well in badminton, handball and shooting, Sweden at jumps, Holland in hockey and cycling. In Athens, Australia finished fourth in the medals race, without winning a single athletics gold. Taking past performance in major championships as a guide, the statistics suggest that Ireland's best Olympic hopes might lie in boxing, shooting, rowing, middle distance running, walking, hammer throwing and cycling.

Don't miss the show! If you do miss it however it's repeated on RTE TWO on Saturday lunchtime, and is available to view on the site www.rte.ie/sport/irelandsolympians