Statement by President Higgins following conclusion of Paris 2024 Olympic Games
Date: Sun 11th Aug, 2024 | 16:37
"As President of Ireland, may I extend my congratulations and appreciation to all those Olympians who have represented our country with such distinction over the last two and a half weeks.
Each of our record-setting medallists has brought enormous joy to all those watching across our island and beyond and has been a source of encouragement.
All those who achieved so much by qualifying and competing to such a high standard have made Irish people everywhere so immensely proud.
The Olympics has been the culmination of four years, indeed a lifetime, of hard work and dedicated training by our athletes and I extend my admiration and appreciation to all those who have competed and given their all across so many sporting disciplines, including personal bests, national records and an Olympic record. In every aspect there has been real achievement.
Our Olympians' efforts are a credit to their coaches, their families and supporters, so many of whom travelled to Paris to cheer them on, and to all those who have helped them on their individual and collective journeys.
The Irish people's love of sport has been moved on to a whole new level by these Games.
As we look to the future, the additional funding which has been promised provides hope that these fantastic results can be built upon in the years ahead.
May I again send my best wishes to each of our Olympians as they return to their families and communities and the warm reception which they have so well earned.
I look forward to welcoming them to an event at Áras an Uachtaráin in the near future where I will have an opportunity to personally recognise all that they have achieved."