Sir Rols Posted March 29, 2005 Report Share Posted March 29, 2005 While I'm inclined to agree that an OG is beyond Ireland's capabilities (as much as the idea is appealing), the notion obviously has occured to the Irish before: My personal wish would be to see an Irish-led Celtic Rugby World Cup, with Ireland as main host and Wales and Scotland as pool hosts. What else would be possible for them to do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick The Mick Posted March 29, 2005 Report Share Posted March 29, 2005 My personal wish would be to see an Irish-led Celtic Rugby World Cup, with Ireland as main host and Wales and Scotland as pool hosts.What else would be possible for them to do? agreed Roltel Rugby- I would dearly love to see an Irish-led RWC bid, but I fear it'll be a while. 2011 will go to Japan or NZ (or possibly South Africa), so 2015 is the next possible Northern Hempisphere bid, in which the Scots are already getting themselves lined up. They have already hosted the U21s and they are moving international matches around the country, to Glasgow, Aberdeen, etc, to test interest and showcase venues to the IRB. I would imagine the English would have some interest in hosting as well, so realistically we would be looking past 2023 (it'll probably take that time to persuade the GAA to allow "foreign" sports to be played on their hallowed turf!) Football - Ireland made a very poor effort in the joint bid for Euro2008 with the Scots, and to be honest we'd be lucky if theyr ever took us back. There are a few things against another joint bid ... not least of which is the queue of single country bids that will come (Italy, Russia, Spain). Also I expect there to be yet more Eastern bids, with Greece/Turkey looking very strong. That said, we could offer a stronger partnership with Scotland this time, since we will have a confirmed Lansdowne road venue and more encouraging signs of an opening of Croke Park for special events. Also, Northern Ireland will build a new stadium (30,000 all-seater) and there have been renewed calls for a unified team (NI has really become an embarrassment, on and off the pitch), so Ireland could offer 3 stadiums (and offer to take one "nation" off the crowded fixture list). I still reckon it would be better with another small stadium in Cork or Limerick, but it would be a strong partnership for the Scots Apart from that, Ireland needs to improve its basic sporting infrastructure, so bids for swimming championships, or using indoor arenas for badminton, squash, boxing, or whatever could be a handy option. In the meantime, it's back to the golf course and hosting some of the biggest tournaments on some of the worlds finest courses (Ryder Cup at the K Club is just one example), and equestrian events Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexjc Posted March 31, 2005 Report Share Posted March 31, 2005 I'm glad I started this little fourm... even if the dream of Dublin hosting the Olympic Games may just be that. It's good to see the discussion as led to some interesting scenarios. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick The Mick Posted April 1, 2005 Report Share Posted April 1, 2005 I'm glad I started this little fourm... even if the dream of Dublin hosting the Olympic Games may just be that. It's good to see the discussion as led to some interesting scenarios. I'm glad you did too, Alexjc In many ways the question of an Irish olympics is similar to that for a NZ games? Can countries with smaller populations realistically bid? Given the massive scale that the games now have (for better or worse) it is already difficult to conceive. Now add to that the impact of the 2012 race ... with so many "world cities" competing it seems that the bar has been lifted - permanently or temporarily, I don't know - on what it takes to win. Against the likes of London, NY, Paris or Madrid, what city in the world can reasonably compare on a technical level with their transport systems, their hotel infrastructure, their existing stadia & arenas, their ability to build facilities that have a sustainable life post-games, and their experience of hosting major events. Unless of course, they want to bankrupt themselves (a la Greece), or the IOC realistically accepts the option to downscale (Barcelona, for example, was a smaller games and was the better for it) or we come up with more inventive options: 1. More temporary venues (pools? velodromes? hockey pitches?) 2. Scrap some of the more expensive events 3. Dual city options within a reasonable distance? If not Dublin alone, what about events spread out to Belfast or Cork, for example. Or in NZ, Auckland-Hamilton? Or in Chile, Santiago plus Viña del Mar? Or even something like San Diego-Tijuana? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BethnalGreen Posted April 1, 2005 Report Share Posted April 1, 2005 and there have been renewed calls for a unified team (NI has really become an embarrassment, on and off the pitch), so Ireland could offer 3 stadiums (and offer to take one "nation" off the crowded fixture list). Whilst I quite like the idea of a unified Irish team, I don't think they have exactly been an embarrassment! I thought they did extremely well against Wales and actually deserved to win! Also, they held out very well against England and had us all thinking (including/especially the NI supporters!) that they might even at least hold on for a draw. If it wasn't fo such 'lady' bad luck during a period of only about 16 minutes.....??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick The Mick Posted April 1, 2005 Report Share Posted April 1, 2005 and there have been renewed calls for a unified team (NI has really become an embarrassment, on and off the pitch), so Ireland could offer 3 stadiums (and offer to take one "nation" off the crowded fixture list). Whilst I quite like the idea of a unified Irish team, I don't think they have exactly been an embarrassment! I thought they did extremely well against Wales and actually deserved to win! Also, they held out very well against England and had us all thinking (including/especially the NI supporters!) that they might even at least hold on for a draw. If it wasn't fo such 'lady' bad luck during a period of only about 16 minutes.....??? Fair enough .. things for NI have improved greatly under Lawrie Sanchez, but a few decent performances don't mask a long-term decline. Add to that the fact that their best player felt forced to retire from international football after death threats to himself and his family, plus sectarian chanting from the few fans that they have, and it all doesn't add up to a pretty picture and doesn't create a team that a very large proportion of the population wants to associate itself with. It's pretty sad ... I remember the days when people from all communities in NI felt they could support the team, just as they now do with the Ulster rugby team or with the Belfast Giants ice hockey team. Football is the only major sport in which the Republic and NI play as separate teams, and it struggles to get the same universal support as, say, the Irish rugby team, who garner support from all traditions and have even adopted a great compomise anthem that all can associate themselves with. Hopefully that can act as a model Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BethnalGreen Posted April 1, 2005 Report Share Posted April 1, 2005 and there have been renewed calls for a unified team (NI has really become an embarrassment, on and off the pitch), so Ireland could offer 3 stadiums (and offer to take one "nation" off the crowded fixture list). Whilst I quite like the idea of a unified Irish team, I don't think they have exactly been an embarrassment! I thought they did extremely well against Wales and actually deserved to win! Also, they held out very well against England and had us all thinking (including/especially the NI supporters!) that they might even at least hold on for a draw. If it wasn't fo such 'lady' bad luck during a period of only about 16 minutes.....??? Fair enough .. things for NI have improved greatly under Lawrie Sanchez, but a few decent performances don't mask a long-term decline. Add to that the fact that their best player felt forced to retire from international football after death threats to himself and his family, plus sectarian chanting from the few fans that they have, and it all doesn't add up to a pretty picture and doesn't create a team that a very large proportion of the population wants to associate itself with. It's pretty sad ... I remember the days when people from all communities in NI felt they could support the team, just as they now do with the Ulster rugby team or with the Belfast Giants ice hockey team. Football is the only major sport in which the Republic and NI play as separate teams, and it struggles to get the same universal support as, say, the Irish rugby team, who garner support from all traditions and have even adopted a great compomise anthem that all can associate themselves with. Hopefully that can act as a model Fair enough too! I just felt the need to give NI a little encouragement in footbal, what with all the knockbacks and everything in the press when they play bigger teams!!! I take your point about the death threats business though... That was a sad business indeed. I can only hope that things improve from here on in... As for the rest of what you said, I apologise but I had no idea about any of that! ( have been brought up in England after all...) (Sorry, I had to edit my post - my keyboard doesn't seem to like some characters and I didn't proof read!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Rols Posted April 1, 2005 Report Share Posted April 1, 2005 In many ways the question of an Irish olympics is similar to that for a NZ games? Can countries with smaller populations realistically bid? Given the massive scale that the games now have (for better or worse) it is already difficult to conceive. Now add to that the impact of the 2012 race ... with so many "world cities" competing it seems that the bar has been lifted - permanently or temporarily, I don't know - on what it takes to win. Against the likes of London, NY, Paris or Madrid, what city in the world can reasonably compare on a technical level with their transport systems, their hotel infrastructure, their existing stadia & arenas, their ability to build facilities that have a sustainable life post-games, and their experience of hosting major events. Unless of course, they want to bankrupt themselves (a la Greece), or the IOC realistically accepts the option to downscale (Barcelona, for example, was a smaller games and was the better for it) or we come up with more inventive options: 1. More temporary venues (pools? velodromes? hockey pitches?) 2. Scrap some of the more expensive events 3. Dual city options within a reasonable distance? If not Dublin alone, what about events spread out to Belfast or Cork, for example. Or in NZ, Auckland-Hamilton? Or in Chile, Santiago plus Viña del Mar? Or even something like San Diego-Tijuana? The options you presented are all pretty viable, indeed already in place. * Temporary venues and temporary expanded seating at existing venues have already been used at a number games, so the IOC does not seem to have a problem with it. It would be good to see smaller places make more use of this option. * Cutting expensive sports _ ah well, perhaps the most difficult, no Sports Federation wants to see itlself cut, but at least Rogge has brought this into discussion. * Spread venues. It already happens with football and sailing, and Beijing is moving equestrian to Hong Kong and it's happening a lot with Winter Games venues. Providing the locations are fairly close I can't see why it would be frowned upon too much for the likes of an Auckland, Dublin, Santiago, Edinburgh etc to spread a few more venues out. Can't see the IOC allowing it to be split across national borders, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atlanta1996 Posted April 2, 2005 Report Share Posted April 2, 2005 As nice as the idea is, I don't know if the Irish could win a bid for the Olympics. First, the whole country only has a population of just under 4 million. That would make it the smallest country to ever host and its national population is about the same size as the last 3 host cities. I then took a look at worldstadiums.com and noted that the two stadiums mentioned are not athletics stadiums - they are football/soccer stadiums. Dublin would have to construct a new one to meet Olympic standards. Croke Park is not used as football/soccer but for the Gaelic sports (hurling and Gaelic football). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atlanta1996 Posted April 2, 2005 Report Share Posted April 2, 2005 Atlanta also spread its events out. Several events were held in Birmingham, Athens, and DC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexjc Posted April 3, 2005 Report Share Posted April 3, 2005 ... Providing the locations are fairly close I can't see why it would be frowned upon too much for the likes of an Auckland, Dublin, Santiago, Edinburgh etc to spread a few more venues out. Can't see the IOC allowing it to be split across national borders, though. The sharing option is always used... Sydney 2000 used Melbourne for soccer... As for Auckland 2040, Hamilton is part of it's stratergy in planning for venues. Hamilton was planning to bid for the 2014 CWGs but have pulled out. This would have allowed that city to build up it's infrastructure sooner rather than later. Hence Dublin can be the central hub to a broader games base. And I agree with many that some of the more extravigant sports should be culled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bernard Posted April 8, 2005 Report Share Posted April 8, 2005 and there have been renewed calls for a unified team (NI has really become an embarrassment, on and off the pitch), so Ireland could offer 3 stadiums (and offer to take one "nation" off the crowded fixture list). Whilst I quite like the idea of a unified Irish team, I don't think they have exactly been an embarrassment! I thought they did extremely well against Wales and actually deserved to win! Also, they held out very well against England and had us all thinking (including/especially the NI supporters!) that they might even at least hold on for a draw. If it wasn't fo such 'lady' bad luck during a period of only about 16 minutes.....??? Northern Ireland is NOT part of the Irish nation state. It would be extremely wrong to have a united Irish football team if there is no united Ireland (and hopefully there never will be one). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick The Mick Posted April 19, 2005 Report Share Posted April 19, 2005 As nice as the idea is, I don't know if the Irish could win a bid for the Olympics. First, the whole country only has a population of just under 4 million. That would make it the smallest country to ever host and its national population is about the same size as the last 3 host cities. I then took a look at worldstadiums.com and noted that the two stadiums mentioned are not athletics stadiums - they are football/soccer stadiums. Dublin would have to construct a new one to meet Olympic standards. Croke Park is not used as football/soccer but for the Gaelic sports (hurling and Gaelic football). The Gaelic Athletic Association (teh authority that governs Gaelic sports, owners of Croke Park and self-anointed guardians of their own very narrow definition of Irish culture) have finally voted to open Croke Park up to non-Gaelic sports (ie soccer and rugby)!!! This represents are dramatic change in Irish sporting culture - the so-called Rule 42 which barred "foreign" sports has long been a standard for the GAA movement. The change is only temporary, for the duration of the rebuilding of the Lansdowne road stadium, the normal venue for rugby and soccer internationals, and now the actual use of the 80,000 seater venue will be negotiated between the GAA, IRFU and FAI, with the GAA looking for somewhere around 1.5million euros per game in rental income (c28% of the takings for a full house). But ... you never know ... maybe this marks the opening up of possibilities for Ireland to host decent-sized events in the future, alone or in partnership with our neighbours. RWC? Euro football championships? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexjc Posted April 20, 2005 Report Share Posted April 20, 2005 One thing I did notice about International Rugby matches in Ireland, is the fact that at the start of the games they only play the Irish national anthem. Which is, IMO, rude. I suppose thats why the opposition usually thumps them, they are that wound up by it. But why is that? :shocked: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcocrowgdl Posted April 20, 2005 Report Share Posted April 20, 2005 Dublin hosting? I surely will love to see it. Ireland is one of my favorite places in the world. But if we considerate the factors everybody talks about, I think they can throw a bid in 2020 that indicates the IOC that Ireland wants the Olympics. If they pulish it, we might be looking one of the most serious contenders for a period that goes from 2024 to 2036. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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