Sport Ireland have announced their 2024 investment plan with Athletics set to receive €841,666. The International Carding Scheme will also see 24 Individuals and relay teams awarded funding based on various levels.
What is the International Carding Scheme?
The International Carding Scheme provides financial support to athletes for their training and competition programmes. The primary purpose of this funding is to support Irish athletes in reaching finals and achieving medals at European, World, Olympic and Paralympic level.
What are the different levels in the Carding Scheme?
There are three different levels in the Carding Scheme - Podium, World Class, and International.
Which Athletes are set to receive support?
The three athletes who have been awarded the top level of Podium and will €40,000 each are Ciara Mageean, Mark English, and Rhasidat Adeleke.
Both the Women's 4x400m and the Mixed 4x400m teams will receive €60,000.
Nine track stars have been allocated €25,000 each based on the World Class level. They are Efrem Gidey,
Fionnuala McCormack, Israel Olatunde, Kate O'Connor, Sarah Lavin, Thomas Barr, Andrew Coscoran, Brian Fay, and Sarah Healy.
The remaining ten will be in receipt of €18,000 from the International level are Brendan Boyce, Chris O'Donnell,
Darragh McElhinney, David Kenny, Eric Favors, Hiko Haso, Louise Shanahan, Luke McCann, Sharlene Mawdsley,
and Sophie O'Sullivan.
The total investment of €841,666 puts Athletics in fourth place on the list of overall funding behind Irish Athletic Boxing Association (€965,000), Paralympics Ireland (€1,000,000) and Rowing Ireland in top spot with (€1,093,334).
Sport Ireland Director of NGBs and High Performance, Paul McDermott, commented on the announcement saying;
“The government has delivered a substantial increase in funding for Sport Ireland to build a strong high-performance system with strong governing bodies, which gives us every confidence in the Olympic Federation of Ireland and Paralympics Ireland delivering for their athletes in Paris this summer. We look forward to the year ahead, working with and continuing to support our partners to sustain this investment so Irish athletes can showcase their talents and hard work on the biggest stages."