4 February 2022, Today’s opening ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games takes place today in the Bird’s Nest Stadium in Beijing city. The ceremony that marks the opening of the Games which will run from the 4 – 20 February 2022, will be held at the same venue that hosted the ceremonies and athletics events for the Summer Olympics in 2008.

Team Ireland, led by flagbearers Brendan Newby and Elsa Desmond, will be marching into the stadium as the 65th nation in the athlete’s parade, with proceedings starting at 8pm local time, which is noon in Ireland! The opening ceremony will be broadcast live by RTÉ.

The Winter Olympics are a major international multi-sport event held once ever four years for sports competing on snow and ice.  The first Winter Olympic Games, the 1924 Winter Olympics, were held in Chamonix France.

Irish athletes predominately compete in Alpine, Cross Country, Freestyle Skiing and Snowboard.  The qualifying standard for the Winter Olympic Games is set by the International Olympic Committee, while selection of athletes is the prerogative of the Olympic Federation of Ireland.

Regarded by many as the pinnacle of achievement, the Winter Olympic Games are held every four years.

SAI is primarily responsible for the growth and development of Cross Country Skiing and Biathlon, Alpine Skiing, Freestyle skiing and Snowboard disciplines and play a key role in supporting Irish athletes to qualify and participate in the Winter Olympic Games.  Snowsports athletes have competed in Winter Games in:

Nagano 1998:  Salt Lake City 2002:  Torino 2006:  Vancouver 2010:  Sochi 2014:  PeongChang 2018: Beijing 2022.

The qualifying standard for the Winter Olympic Games is set by the International Olympic Committee, while selection of athletes is the prerogative of the Olympic Federa of Ireland.

It is normal that athletes work on a 4 year programme from one Olympic Games to next.  For the 2018 Games in Korea, athletes are training in Alpine Skiing, Cross Country Skiing, Freestyle Skiing and Snowboard.

Snowsports athletes have also participated in Youth Olympic Games and European Youth Olympic Games in Alpine Skiing.

Snowsports Ireland Olympians

  • 2022 BEIJING – CHINA

    Tess Arbez (Alpine Skiing), Jack Gower (Alpine Skiing), Thomas Westgaard (Cross Country Skiing) Bubba Newby (Freestyle Skiing), Seamus O’Connor (Snowboard).

  • 2018 PYEONGCHANG – KOREA

    Tess Arbez (Alpine Skiing), Pat McMillan (Alpine Skiing), Thomas Westgaard (Cross Country Skiing) Bubba Newby (Freestyle Skiing), Seamus O’Connor (Snowboard).

  • 2010 VANCOUVER – CANADA

    Kristen McGarry (Alpine Skiing), Shane O’Connor (Alpine Skiing), PJ Barran (Cross Country Skiing).

  • 2006 TURINO – ITALY

    Kirsten McGarry (Alpine Skiing), Thomas Foley (Alpine Skiing), Rory Morrish (Cross Country Skiing).

  • 2002 SALT LAKE CITY – USA

    Tamsen McGary (Alpine Skiing), Paul Schwarzacher-Joyce (Alpine Skiing), Paul O’Connor (Cross Country Skiing)

  • 1998 NAGANO – JAPAN

    Paul Schwarzacher-Joyce (Alpine Skiing).

Photos