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Friends of Irish Athletics are seeking All-Ireland recognition for Irish Athletics

The Problem

In 1934, the international Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF), now World Athletics, adopted a new political boundary rule which divided Athletics on the island of Ireland. As a result, when Irish Athletes go to European and World Championships, they can only represent the republic of Ireland; a team for the Island of Ireland is not permitted.

The Solution

We are asking World Athletics to grant a derogation to Ireland from the 1934 Political Boundary Rule. This would allow Irish Athletes to represent the territory of the island of Ireland at European and World Championships and enjoy the same recognition that currently allows Irish Athletes to represent the island of Ireland at the Olympic Games.

Irish athletes are currently prevented from representing the island of Ireland at European and World Championship events. We need your help to change this.

Who are the Friends of Irish Athletics?

We are a group of current and former All-Ireland athletic medal winners, athletic officials and supporters from across the island of Ireland.

We believe that Irish Athletes should be recognized as representing the island of Ireland at European and World Championship events and enjoy the same recognition which is granted by the international Olympic committee to the Olympic Federation of Ireland to allow Irish Athletes to represent the island of Ireland at the Olympic Games with no political boundary rule in operation.

It is our view that the approach adopted by World Athletics is in breach of the Good Friday Agreement and that the rights of the citizens of the island of Ireland are being denied. In particular we are concerned that the right to identify and be accepted as British or Irish or both is not being respected.

As a result of World Athletics political boundary rule a team representing the island of Ireland is not allowed to participate at European and World Championships. This discrimination is denying Irish Athletes the opportunity to represent the island of Ireland.

Our neighbours go the Olympic Games as Team Great Britain (Team GB). In the Olympic games Athletes from Northern Ireland have the right to represent team Ireland or team GB. We believe this is the correct way forward with athletes allowed to choose which country they wish to compete for; with team Ireland representing the island of Ireland.

This approach would respect the rights of all individuals on our shared island and give Irish Athletes the honour of representing the island of Ireland at European and World Championships while also respecting the choice of athletes from Northern Ireland to choose to compete for team Great Britain or the island of Ireland; team Ireland.

World Athletics, Athletics Northern Ireland and Athletics Ireland have the opportunity to lead the way and adopt an approach that would support peace and reconciliation and contribute to the spirit of generosity that is emerging on our shared island and we believe that with good will from all sides that this matter can be resolved.

Friends of Irish Athletics are committed to ensuring the rights of all Irish Athletes are respected and recognized. The group are engaged on an ongoing basis with Governments and senior Ministers in both parts of our island to ensure this long-standing problem is rectified for current and future generations of Irish Athletes.

Videos

Opening Statement to Dáil Joint Committee

Friends of Irish Athletics outline why they attended the Dáil Joint Committee and what their goals are in bringing the problem at hand before the committee.

What are Friends of Irish Athletics proposing?

The group is asking that World Athletics would grant a derogation to Ireland from the 1934 Political Boundary Rule. This would allow Irish Athletes to represent the territory of the island of Ireland at European and World Championships.

The barriers to resolving this issue

Friends of Irish Athletics firmly believe that with good will from Athletics Ireland, Athletics Northern Ireland and World Athletics there is a solution to this matter and that the barriers currently preventing this issue from being resolved can be overcome.

International recognition of the Island of Ireland at European and World Championships would-be good for Irish athletics

The removal of the political boundary rule by way of derogation would be for the betterment of Irish athletics and would respect the rights of all athletes on the island of Ireland.

Example set by Cycling Ireland

In 1988 cycling Ireland applied to the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) for a derogation from its political boundary rule for Ireland and were successful and now represent the island of Ireland at all international cycling competitions.

Are AAI & World Athletics (formally IAAF) in contradiction of the Good Friday agreement?

It is the view of Friends of Irish Athletics that the approach adopted by World Athletics is in breach of the Good Friday Agreement and that the rights of the citizens of the island of Ireland are being denied. In particular the group are concerned that the right to identify and be accepted as British or Irish or both is not being respected.

Why haven’t Sport Ireland acted on this issue?

Friends of Irish Athletics highlight why Sports Ireland have not acted on this problem despite assurances from them and having provided an undertaking to resolving this issue in the past. The group is seeking the support of Sports Ireland in resolving this issue.

Negative impact of World Athletics (formally) IAAF political boundary rule on Irish Athletes

The political boundary rule implemented by World Athletics has denied the rights of previous and current generations of Irish Athletes that wish to represent the island of Ireland at European and World Championships.

Documents

Written Presentation to Dáil Joint Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport

Opening statement given by Friends of Irish Athletics to Dáil Joint Committee including a comprehensive history of the problem the group is working to resolve.

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Correspondence between Friends of Irish Athletics and Athletics Ireland

Written correspondence between Hamish Adams, CEO Athletics Ireland, and Friends of Irish Athletics who are seeking the support of Athletics Ireland for a derogation for Ireland form World Athletics Political Boundary rule.

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Correspondence sent by Friends of Irish Athletics to World Athletics

Written correspondence sent to Sebastian Coe, President World Athletics, from Friends of Irish Athletics seeking a derogation for Ireland form World Athletics Political Boundary rule.

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Irish athletes are currently prevented from representing the island of Ireland at European and World Championship events.

We need your help to change this.

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