Lara Gillespie, Mia Griffin, Kelly Murphy and Alice Sharpe of the team pursuit team have qualified for Paris despite the absence of a velodrome in Irelan
Ireland has moved a step closer to seeing the construction of a first indoor velodrome with Government ministers today announcing approval for the project to proceed to tender.
A velodrome has been a key part of the new ‘masterplan’ for the development of the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus in Abbotstown, but construction plans have been delayed several times in recent years.
The velodrome and badminton centre project was given the go-ahead back in 2019, but the plans and costs have been revised several times. In 2020, then Cycling Ireland CEO Matt McKerrow expressed hopes that a velodrome would be ready for use before the Paris Olympics, but so far ground has yet to be broken.
Today’s Sports News in 90 Seconds – 1st August
However, €87m in funding has been ring fenced through the national development plan and planning permission for the current project was awarded by Fingal County Council in January 2023. Construction of the current plans was originally due to start in August 2023, but the facility is now expected to be completed in 2027 and will include a 250m indoor cycling track and up to 12 badminton courts.
Irish track riders have long been forced to travel abroad to gain valuable track time. Despite the lack of a velodrome, the women’s team pursuit squad have qualified for the Paris Olympics, where Irish riders will also compete in the Madison and omnium. The Irish team take to the track on Tuesday.
“The National Velodrome and Badminton Centre will provide state-of-the-art track cycling facilities for our cycling athletes who currently have to travel abroad for both training and competition, as well as providing the sport of badminton with a permanent home featuring integrated training, gym and medical facilities,” said Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin.
“The funding provided to build these training facilities will allow athletes in both sports to reach optimal performance levels on the international stage. Our National Sports Campus is already a world leading athlete focused facility and this next phase of its development will further enhance Ireland’s sporting infrastructure.”
Minister of State for Sport Thomas Byrne added: “As we cheer on our Team Ireland athletes at the Olympics and Paralympics in Paris, we understand that continued Government investment is essential to increasing participation levels in all sports, across all sectors of society. In order to achieve our participation targets, we must continue to provide world-class sporting facilities.”
