Martyn Irvine has clarified some of his recent comments and been honest about the state of some parts of Irish cycling.
Having recently retired from international competition, Martyn Irvine made some comments the media of late that he was perfectly happy with from an accuracy point of view but that he wished to add to.
He speaks about his current employment status, the support levels or lack thereof since his retirement and the need for change in Irish cycling.
This post was first published on Olympian and former world champion Irvine’s blog and is presented here with his permission.
I’ve made a few comments recently that have appeared in the media and while I have no issue with how they were reported, there’s something of a “hard done by” theme being attached to my name.
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So in penning this few words I wanted to clarify one thing; I am really happy with life so far after retirement.
All the stuff you have been reading is true, not a word of it is a lie.
But some of the comments that could be seen as negative have gained a bit of ground over my general remarks about life since hanging up my racing wheels a couple of months ago.
I loved racing bikes. And when I got shit at racing bikes, I stopped. I still love the thoughts of racing, but getting paid for it was becoming harder to do.
I do feel things need to change to help young athletes become champions.
The problem is not a cycling one and it’s not to do with the Sports Council or any sponsors; it’s our problem.
All these organisations meet demand to a degree, there are exceptions of course.
The sports that get the help in Ireland are the best supported sports – in terms of bums on seats.
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Irvine said the Dublin Grand Prix, above, was really well promoted, adding there were five world champions in his race yet very few people came along to watch the action (Photo: Sean Rowe)
There was a Class 1 UCI track race held in Ireland last year. I was in it and it was held at Sundrive Velodrome.
It was promoted perfectly, everything was catered for and the participants were really world class.
There were at least five world champions in my race! How many spectators were there; 40 or 50? I doubt it. That’s a sad fact.
It’s not anyone’s fault but nobody outside the small track bubble gave a shit.
I could waffle on all day but the point is the ethos needs to change.
An indoor velodrome in Ireland will guarantee a place to nurture track cyclists in all weathers.
It would keep kids safe and would gradually change the way people think of the sport. But it’s going to take a long time.
I got a lot of help along the way and I really want to be clear that I appreciated every grant, every sponsor and every sports body that helped me.
I got a lot out of cycling and I’m forever grateful.
The Irish Institute of Sport in Abbotstown has helped me more than ever since I retired.
I can’t say the same for some other sporting bodies but they are victims of their own system.
Cycling Ireland gave me the platform to perform and I did; even though they probably need some new blood in the system at some point.
I’m not preaching and I’m not trying to rattle cages.
I just wanted to take the time to express a few thoughts and to clarify some things in light of the recent coverage.
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