Former Irish sprint hurdles athlete and media personality Derval O'Rourke has called on RTÉ to broadcast more of the lesser-known sports.
The Olympics have just ended, and Irish viewers were treated to a variety of sports that aren't usually shown. Sports like swimming and gymnastics, in which Irish athletes won three separate medals, only get airtime when the Olympics come around every four years.
The state broadcaster regularly airs hurling, Gaelic football, rugby, and Irish football matches for both men and women, but the lesser-known sports don't receive the visibility they do during the Olympic Games.
Ireland’s team has returned home with their best medal tally of seven, including four gold medals won across different events at the Paris Games. This tally surpasses the total number of medals won at the 2012 Olympics in London.
O'Rourke, who represented Ireland at the 2004, 2008, and 2012 Summer Olympics, believes there should be more focus on showcasing these "other sports."
"We don't often show these sports," said the Cork native. "How often are we showing them? Is there any consideration of that?"
O'Rourke also emphasised this need due to her personal experience as a female athlete, understanding how important visibility is for the growth of these sports.
Paris 2024: "Invest in sport. Look how positive it makes everyone."@DervalORourke @RM_Heffernan and @soniaagrith discuss the legacy of #Paris2024 and how Ireland can build on the success of the past fortnight #Olympics pic.twitter.com/vRmnWmQlfw
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 11, 2024
"I was a female in sports, and I feel very strongly about that visibility. I've got a daughter, and I think we need to show more of a variety of these sports; we shouldn't just be popping up every four years," she said.
"I know athletics gets some coverage, but you have to consider that the World Championships are next year and the Diamond Leagues are happening. From a national broadcaster's perspective, whether it's that or swimming or rowing, I know they're showing bits and pieces, but there has to be a discussion around that."
Former race walker Rob Heffernan echoed O'Rourke's sentiments, adding that the hype often fades once athletes return home. He urged those in power to invest in sports going forward.
"I've gone to five Olympics. We all get caught up in the hype. The athletes come home, and everything is forgotten about," he said. "Invest in sport. Look how positive it makes everybody. We need investment. The girls are going to come off the plane; they’ll be in the Áras, and all of the politicians will be around. So put your money where your mouth is now, and let's back them."
Coincidentally, on Sunday, Taoiseach Simon Harris announced that the Irish government would be investing €400 million in sports, indicating a willingness to support the long-term future of Irish sport following the Olympics.
“We have decided to have the largest ever sports capital fund, which will be money given to clubs, big and small, right across Ireland next month,” Mr. Harris added.
“We have given the go-ahead for the badminton court development at our national stadium.
“Let me be really clear: there has to be a legacy from the Paris Games.
“There has to be further investment in sport, and I am determined that we lift the scale of our ambition when it comes to backing sport, backing athletes, and particularly investing more in terms of our elite performance training as well.”
