HL Deb 21 October 2004 vol 665 c99WA
Lord Moynihan

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Which sports governing bodies in Northern Ireland whose competitors are in receipt of United Kingdom world class funding competed against Team GB for the Irish Republic at the 2004 Athens Olympics. [HL4405]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Lord McIntosh of Haringey)

There were no athletes in receipt of United Kingdom world class funding competing in the Irish Republic team against Team GB at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Lord Moynihan

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Which sports governing bodies in Northern Ireland require their sportsmen and women to compete for the Irish Republic at Olympic level; which give a choice to their competitors as to whether they compete for Team GB or the Irish Republic, and which require their competitors to compete for Team GB. [HL4406]

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

The longstanding practice relating to athletes in Northern Ireland who qualify for participation at the Olympic Games is that an athlete born in Northern Ireland who qualifies for participation at the Olympic Games and who holds a UK passport, may opt for selection by either Team GB or Ireland.

The British Olympic Association (BOA) and the Olympic Council for Ireland (OCI) have recently confirmed this agreement.