Longford's Patrick Flanagan part of Swim Ireland's first Athletes’ Commission

Longford's Patrick Flanagan is a member of Swim Ireland's first Athletes’ Commission for Swimming, Para Swimming and Diving.

The Commission was appointed in 2022 with the first in-person meeting taking place last month.

Patrick is a retired Paralympian who specialised in the 400m Freestyle during an illustrious athletic career.

He has trained with Longford Swimming Club, UCD and NAC Swimming Club throughout his time as a swimmer, representing Ireland at European Para and World Para Championships.

Patrick’s career highlight is competing for Ireland at the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics.

London 2012 Olympian Gráinne Murphy and Rio 2016 Olympian Nicholas Quinn will co-chair the committee with seven additional members representing the disciplines including Patrick (Para Swimming), Adrianna Kazimierczak (Swimming), Cadan McCarthy (Swimming), Calum Bain (Swimming), Clare Cryan (Diving), David Thompson (Swimming) and Erin Riordan (Swimming).

Swim Ireland is delighted with the calibre of athletes on the Committee and their drive and enthusiasm and look forward to working with them in the months and years to come.

A Commission for Water Polo athletes will follow later this year.

The role of the Athletes’ Commission is to act as a consultative body of Swim Ireland and as a voice for Irish athletes within these aquatic disciplines.

The commission will ensure that strong channels of communication are in place for athlete specific issues at the appropriate level and that the athletes’ views are heard and considered in Swim Ireland decision-making.

The Commission will also ensure respect for the rights and well-being of the Athletes and to draw up recommendations to that effect as required.

Speaking on the announcement Gráinne Murphy commented, "I am delighted to co-chair the commission with Nick Quinn, a new venture for Swim Ireland which I am thrilled to be part of. The voice of the athlete is important, and I am looking forward to giving the members of Swim Ireland the platform and opportunity to have their voice heard."

Nicholas Quinn added, "The Athletes' Commission is an exciting new venture for Swim Ireland, and we'll work hard to listen to our athletes and ensure their views and opinions are heard over the next two years. On a personal level, I'm delighted to co-chair the Commission and I'm excited to get to work representing our Swimmers, Divers and Para Swimmers."

Swim Ireland CEO Sarah Keane commented, "We are delighted to have established our Athlete’s Commission and to have an effective voice for our swimmers, para swimmers and divers in Ireland. It is important that our athletes have a say and we look forward to working with them in the coming months and years to help ensure that we have happy, healthy, supported athletes across our disciplines."

Head of Clubs and Competitions Adam Cox said, "To ensure we take an athlete centered approach when making decisions in our sport, it is hugely important to have the voice and thoughts of our athletes. Having spent considerable time with our athletes through club visits and at competitions, I know firsthand how much knowledge and expertise they have to help us drive Swim Ireland forward. The athlete commission provides a great opportunity to formalise this process and for athletes at all levels to have their voice heard. I look forward to working with the commission over the coming year and the different perspective they will bring."

National Performance Director Jon Rudd added, "To have a formal vehicle by which our athletes can express their thoughts and views as Irish aquatics progresses is a vital element for all modern-day sport and I am very pleased to see this come to fruition after extensive work and consultation to put it into place. When you look at who the constituent members are at this time, it is immediately apparent that they have much to offer us and we all look forward to working with them in the weeks and months to come." 

The Athlete’s Commission can be contacted at [email protected]

Swim Ireland Athletes’ Commission Video is available here - Swim Ireland Athletes' Commission - YouTube