Last Friday, (22 January) the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee made a very strong and clear statement that they are fully committed to the successful delivery of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo this year.

This statement came after media reports incorrectly claimed that the Japanese Government had made the decision to cancel the Olympic Games.

The Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI) stated that it remains fully of the view, based on regular updates from the Tokyo organisers that the Games will go ahead in July this year.

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This news came just as Horse Sport Ireland’s (HSI) eventing high performance director Sally Corscadden announced the updated Tokyo longlist squad for this years Olympic Games.

Challenging year

Corscadden said: “While 2020 was a very challenging year in so many unexpected ways, we have managed to keep developing our squad for Tokyo and I am very happy to announce our longlist of horse and rider combinations. We are lucky to have strength and depth with five former Olympians and of course the World Equestrian Games silver medal winning team to give us great experience and to help drive the new members of the squad.”

Due to the delay of the Olympics and family commitments, Team Ireland’s eventing dressage trainer Ian Woodhead has stood down. He has been replaced by British eventing dressage trainer, Tracie Robinson. Robinson is already working with the squad and building plans to take the team forward.

The 13 riders on Corscaddan’s longlist are as follows: Susie Berry (John The Bull and Ringwood LB), Aoife Clark (Celus D’Ermac Z), Cathal Daniels (Rioghan Rua and Sammy Davis Junior), Sarah Ennis (Horseware Woodcourt Garrison), Aidan Keogh (Pride of Tredstep), Padraig McCarthy (Fallulah and HHS Noble Call), Brian Morrison (Global Daenery, Global Orchid and Global Mentor), Joseph Murphy (Cesar V), Austin O’Connor (Colorado Blue), Elizabeth Power (Soladoun), Camilla Speirs (Lukas), Fred Scala (Corriebeg Vivendi) and Sam Watson (Imperial Sky and Tullabeg Flamenco).