The target of the Olympic Potential Programme is to support athlete development to achieve medals and top sixteen places at the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games and World Championships and gain selection onto the UKA World Class Performance Programme or the Irish Carding System at Performance level. To underpin the target, the programme aims to establish a ‘Performance Culture’ and role models at the top of the Athlete Development Pathway.
Olympic Potential athlete and coach pairs are eligible for Sporting Winners investment that includes support from the Sport Northern Ireland Sports Institute (SNISI). This may include technical support, strength and conditioning, physiotherapy, competition expenses, training camps, equipment, sports science and sports medicine.
The coach is placed at the heart of the system and integrates the SNISI services in a joined-up approach. The service providers bring expertise, current research knowledge and ideas that fit the overarching and long-term plan. Within this system, Athletics Northern Ireland, coaches, athletes and service providers share a philosophy that is athlete-centred, coach led and performance focussed.
Athlete- Coach Pairs are supported up to the following levels:
Selection onto the programme
To be selected onto the Olympic Potential Programme, athletes have performed at Olympic, Paralympic or World level or have demonstrated the potential to do so.
Performance is measured against Olympic qualifying standards.
Potential is measured against the same standards. Athletes are expected to be tracking towards LA 2028, show year-on-year progress, commitment to their own development and to the programme.
For further information on the Olympic Potential Programme contact Tom Reynolds, Athlete Development Lead: tom@athleticsni.org