Swim Ireland welcomes the high-performance funding announcement from the Minister for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, the Minister of State for Sport and Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue, and Sport Ireland.
Following the Paris cycle, which was the most successful Olympic Games for Irish aquatics, this funding announcement will help support Swim Ireland’s performance system as it enters the new cycle, building towards Los Angeles 2028.
The Minister for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport Patrick O’Donovan T.D., said: “Sport Ireland’s High Performance Strategy is a well-developed and meaningful way of promoting our high performance athletes to achieve greater levels of success and is a tried and tested manner for us to support our athletes to compete at the highest level on the international stage.
“Multi-annual funding awards provide a level of stability for athletes to plan, concentrate and deliver on their sporting goals. Irish athletes are breaking barriers with continued medal success at international level and I am confident that this continued support will lead to further achievement at the highest levels.”
Speaking at the High Performance Sport investment announcement at Trinity College, Minister of State for Sport and Postal Policy, Minister McConalogue said: “This record funding announcement for High Performance Sport highlights Ireland’s strong level of support for individual and team athletes in their endeavour to achieve the highest potential rewards. We know that public investment in High Performance Sport pays dividends and increases the possibility for Irish athletes to compete at the highest level, which is why we are investing €27m through Sport Ireland over 2025.
“The significant increase in High Performance Sport funding over many years demonstrates the Government’s continued commitment, in collaboration with Sport Ireland, to support our athletes as they continue to strive for success.”
Swim Ireland’s CEO Sarah Keane attended the event alongside National Performance Director (Swimming & Diving), Jon Rudd, Head of Performance Pathways & Operations, Andrew Reid, and Performance Manager, Niamh McDonnell.
Speaking about the funding investment from Sport Ireland, Jon Rudd said: “Sport Ireland are clearly particularly pleased with the way we go about our business, which is a huge team effort within the performance department but also the synergy and collaboration between the departments in Swim Ireland, the Board, and all of the great work that goes on with coaches and clubs behind the scenes in progressing us as a sport.
Watch below for the full video interview with National Performance Director (Swimming & Diving), Jon Rudd
Full Sport Ireland Announcement
