TWO former Irish Olympians, who made history by becoming the first ever brothers to compete in the same Olympic event, were overlooked in the selection of torch bearers for this week’s Olympic Torch relay.
Raheny natives and marathoners, Pat and Dick Hooper, who between them represented Ireland four times in the Olympics, will have to look on from the crowds as the torch is carried through the streets of Dublin on June 6.
Speaking to Northside People ahead of the big event, Pat Hooper (60) said he was
“disappointed
? that people such as Jedward, Henry Shefflin and Ruby Walsh will carry the Olympic torch instead of him.
“I feel that there should have been some recognition of those of us who trained hard down through the decades to represent and bring glory to our country in Olympics,
? he stated.
“The qualifying standards to reach the Olympics are very high so it is disappointing that non-Olympians get to carry the torch and we won’t.
“It seems that these Johnny-come-latelys think that we need high profile figures to carry the torch. I guess that’s just the celebrity culture we have now.
?
Long-distance runner Pat Hooper came 42nd in the Men’s Marathon during the Moscow Olympics of 1980.
Despite his disappointment, Pat still intends to take to the streets to see the torch on its journey from Howth to the city centre.
Meanwhile, his three-time Olympian brother Dick Hooper said that he is just excited that the torch will visit the Republic of Ireland.
“We are very lucky that it’s coming down South,
? he stated.
“It’s a great coup for Dublin and I think we should just enjoy and celebrate it for what it is.
“I’m not disappointed that I wasn’t among those selected to carry the torch but I think it is weird that people of other sports will carry it.
“If it was anything to do with the World Cup or something like that I don’t think we’d need non-soccer stars involved in it.
?
Dick Hooper represented Ireland in the Moscow Olympics in 1980, the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984 and in Seoul in 1988.
He is also a three-time record-holding winner of the Dublin Marathon in 1980, 1985 and 1988.
“Competing in the Olympics was a great experience,
? he told Northside People.
“It’s lovely to have it in the memory bank. I think it’s something that I appreciate more now that I’m older and it seems to mean a lot to people.
“As the old adage goes:
‘Once an Olympian, always an Olympian’.
?
Donaghmede ward councillor Pat Crimmins (FG) said he was
“disgusted
? at the oversight of failing to involve the Hooper brothers.
“It’s absolutely astounding that neither Dick nor Pat were considered for the torch relay,
? he stated.
“It beggars belief that these men who are so well-known and have such a combined Olympic history have been excluded.
“As well as that the relay route completely avoids Raheny which, as a result of the Hooper brothers, has great Olympic connections.
“I got in touch with the Olympic Council of Ireland to complain about the route and was told that’s it’s organised by the people in London.
?
Cllr Crimmins added:
“It seems absolutely crazy to me that we don’t have a say as to where the torch goes.
?
A spokesperson for the Olympic Council of Ireland confirmed that the route and details of the torch relay is organised by the London-based organisers of the Olympics.
“After intensive lobbying we managed to get the torch in Dublin for three hours,
? the spokesperson told Northside People.
“We would love to be able to take the torch to all villages and suburbs but unfortunately we only have it for a limited time and for a route of 10 kilometre in distance.
“In that distance we have 41 people who will carry the torch over 300 metres.
?
The Olympic Council of Ireland was responsible for the selection of some of the 41 Olympic torchbearers such John and Edward Grimes (Jedward), Sonia O’Sullivan and jump jockey Ruby Walsh.
The GAA and Dublin City and Fingal County Councils were also among those who nominated torchbearers for the relay.