Weekly Comment: Meet Ireland’s Olympians

With the Olympics closing ceremony this weekend, get to know the Irish competitors. Though none came away with medals, there was plenty of spirit to go around.

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The 2018 Winter Olympics, held this year in Pyeongchang, South Korea, saw Ireland represented by five singular athletes who competed in a host of skiing and snowboarding events. Though not all of them were born and raised in Ireland, they’re all Irish citizens and embody the spirit of the diaspora, competing for the country of their ancestors on sporting’s largest stage.

Team Ireland’s five Winter Olympians met with An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar today who wished them luck ahead of their journey to PyeongChang in South Korea tomorrow morning. Read more here: https://t.co/Yra7Hez6TG pic.twitter.com/sKzE9bko5a

— Team Ireland (@olympiccouncil) January 29, 2018

 

Seamus O’Connor

Seamus O’Connor, who was born in California with a first-generation Irish American father, acted as the Irish flag bearer during the Olympics opening ceremony and ultimately finished 18th of 29 in the men’s halfpipe snowboarding qualification. O’Connor grew up in San Diego, but began snowboarding in Colorado at the age of four. Of Russian and Irish descent, O’Connor competed in the Sochi Winter Olympics in 2014 for Ireland, becoming the country’s first Olympic snowboarder in history. “My dad got this idea that I was to ride for Ireland in my mom’s homeland as an American-born athlete, and it came together perfectly,” he told Reuters at the time.

Watch snowboarder Seamus O’Connor carry the Irish flag at the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang #WinterOlympics2018 pic.twitter.com/VADZYY4GqW

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) February 9, 2018

 

Patrick McMillan

The first Irish skier in action at the 2018 Olympics was Patrick McMillan, in his Olympic debut. A County Clare native, he began skiing at age seven in Austria, (where he is currently based) while on family vacations. The second Irishman (and first in 20 years) to compete in alpine skiing, McMillan came 52nd of 85 in the men’s downhill, and hopes to continue to develop his competitive skiing skills, despite a late start at age 21.

‘I’m very honoured to be here…it’s one of the biggest moments in my life’ – Irish Winter Olympian Pat McMillan (@mcwindy) talks to @Darrenfrehill on @morningireland about representing his county in PyeongChang pic.twitter.com/QGhrYmn20C

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) February 7, 2018

 

Bubba Newby

Also skiing for Ireland was Utahn Brendan “Bubba” Newby, who before his event excitedly yelled, “It’s dinna time!” Dubbed by Irish viewers as “The Corker from Cork” (he was born there while his father was a guest professor at UCC), Newby was the first Irish half-piper in Winter Olympic history. He finished 22nd of 27 in his competition.

Winter Olympic hopeful, @bnewbs6 explains a little bit about the Halfpipe free style skiing event. #TeamIreland #Pyeongchang2018 #Halfpipe pic.twitter.com/GWDL2qGV2i

— Team Ireland (@olympiccouncil) January 15, 2018

 

Tess Arbez

As Ireland’s only female competitor in Pyeongchang, Tess Arbez participated in the ladies’ slalom (ranking 46th of 78) and the ladies’ giant slalom (where she came in 50th of 78). With a mother from Dublin, Tess grew up in Vetraz Monthoux, France, where she began skiing on cross-country slopes before she was yet two years old. Her older brother, Maxime, has also skied for Team Ireland at the 2015 FIS Ski World Championships. Tess proudly attributes her personal philosophy to the Samuel Beckett quote, “Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.”

Great first run for Tess Arbez sitting within top 50 in Ladies Slalom with a time of 59.47 just 11 seconds behind current leader. #TeamIreland ???? pic.twitter.com/4Eu3pvyW43

— Team Ireland (@olympiccouncil) February 16, 2018

 

Thomas Maloney Westgård

Finally, representing Ireland in cross-country skiing this year was Norwegian Thomas Maloney Westgård, whose mother hails from County Galway. He competed in in the men’s 15km free (ranking 63rd of 119), the men’s 15km skiathlon (placing 60th of 68), and the men’s spring classic (where he came in 62nd of 80).

Winter Olympic hopeful, Thomas Westgard competes in Cross Country Ski. There are two basic propulsion techniques which apply to different surfaces: classic (undisturbed snow and tracked snow) and skate skiing (firm, smooth snow surfaces). #TeamIreland pic.twitter.com/mwkrIE4lxF

— Team Ireland (@olympiccouncil) January 18, 2018

“I have always had the dream of representing Ireland, ever since I was a child,” he told Reuters. “I have always had this dream of putting a small winter sports nation like Ireland on the map.” ♦

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Mary Gallagher contributed to this report.