Title-winning lifesavers reveal
Olympic dreams
 By Elaine
Sheridan
Ireland could be vying to be gold medal winners at the 2012 Olympic Games
in London — in lifesaving.
Lifesaving has finally been recognised as an Olympic sport by the International
Olympic Committee (IOC).
This recognition is the first step to the sport becoming part of the programme
for the summer games.
And this new status was no doubt on the minds of the Irish team which
took part in the Lifesaving Championships in Sheffield last week.
The proud Irish team swept the board taking home a total of 23 gold medals,
three silver and four bronze as well as retaining their title as overall
champions.
Now the team believe they’re in prime position to achieve success
on an Olympic scale should the IOC decide to make it a fully-fledged part
of the Games.
Ireland team manager Sheila Mulhair said: “This year we won by a
clear 10 points overall which was a brilliant result.
“It’s the third time in four years that we’ve come first
and to be honest we’re not getting quite the warm reception in Britain
that we used to. I think they’re getting a bit fed up with us winning
everything every year.”
The Sheffield championship saw great performances from swimmers from a
host of colleges and clubs around Ireland.
Pupils from St. John Berchman’s Lifesaving Club and Belvedere College
both in Dublin — were accompanied by Northern clubs Belfast Olympia
LSC, Southend LSC and Victoria College as they excelled in their field
competing against 16 teams from England, Scotland and Wales.
Ms Mulhair said the sport of lifesaving teaches participants the rescue
methods to assist those in danger in the sea, lakes, rivers and swimming
pools.
And she is now delighted that it is recognised by the IOC and is confident
that Ireland will excel in any future Olympic Games.
She said: “To be totally fair, based on past performance we could
win all round if it was admitted into the 2012 Games.
“We are well up for it and will take the challenge in our stride.
Our supporters are fantastic. They’re a very colourful lot, cheering
us all the way.
“It would be a real honour for our country to come away from the
Olympics with medals.”
Since 1904, the Royal Life Saving Society (Lifesavers) has reduced the
rate of drownings in Ireland by training lifeguards for the nation’s
pools and beaches and by educating the public in rescue skills and the
resuscitation of those who may seem drowned.
Through this training they have developed the sport of lifesaving to keep
lifeguards and lifesavers at peak fitness for their rescues.
“It’s a sport for life and everyone should know how to swim.
The standard is very high in our clubs and every person involved is doing
it on a voluntary basis. It’s a great discipline and a real worthy
cause,” said Ms Mulhair.
Lifesaving: Gunning for the Olympics
There are five aspects to lifesaving competitions: Water and land based
initiative tests in an unknown rescue scenario, speed events, rope throw
rescue, timed swim and rescue event.
Founded in 1904 the society has more than 13,000 members in 50 branches
and 1,400 active lifesaving and lifeguarding clubs throughout Britain
and Ireland.
Royal Lifesaving Society is the largest provider of lifeguard training
worldwide, with activities in over 40 countries.
Classes are run at over 200 pools throughout Ireland.
Each year around 150 people drown in Ireland.
Lifesaving is now recognised as a grade 2 Olympic sport.
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