Regarded by many as the pinnacle of achievement, the Winter Olympic Games are held every four years, the most recent taking place in Torino, Italy in February 2006 and in Vancouver, Canada in 2010. The next Games will take place in Sochi, Russia 2014.
The qualifying standard for the Winter Olympic Games is set by the International Olympic Committee, while selection of athletes is the prerogative of the Olympic Council of Ireland.
It is normal that athletes work on a 4 year programme from one Olympic Games to next.
Irish Athletes have competed at the last five Winter Olympic Games, in Nagano, Japan 1998; Salt Lake City, USA 2002; Torino, Italy 2006; and Vancouver, Canada 2010.
Snowsports Olympians:
2010 VANCOUVER - Canada| Kristen McGarry (Alpine Skiing), Shane O'Connor (Alpine Skiing) PJ Barran (Cross Country Skiing). |
2006 TURINO - Italy| Kirsten McGarry (Alpine Skiing), Thomas Foley (Alpine Skiing), Rory Morrish (Cross Country Skiing). |
2002 SALT LAKE CITY - USA| Tamsen McGary (Alpine Skiing), Paul Schwarzacher-Joyce (Alpine Skiing), Paul O'Connor (Cross Country Skiing) |
1998 NAGANO - Japan| Paul Schwarzacher-Joyce (Alpine Skiing). |