2023 European Youth Olympic Festival Nomination Criteria 


Aliyah Rafferty in action during the 2022 European Youth Olympic Festival (Picture: Sportsfile)


Cycling Ireland have set out the nomination criteria for athletes wishing to represent Ireland in cycling events at the 2023 European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF). 


The event takes place in Maribor, Slovenia, from 22nd to 30th as some of the best youth athletes from around Europe compete in a host of events. 


Irish cyclists recorded some strong results in the 2022 EYOF, including Seth Dunwoody finishing 5th and Patrick Casey 10th in the boys time trial while Aine Doherty finished in 10th place in the girls time trial. Sam Coleman also picked up 10th place in the boys road race.  


Cycling Ireland will nominate athletes to the Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI) for selection to compete for Team Ireland at the event, all selection decisions will be made on performance grounds by the Nomination Panel. 


The maximum athlete quota for cycling events at EYOF has been issued as three boys and three girls for road cycling and one boy and and girl for mountain bike. Please note that Team Ireland is under no obligation to fulfil this maximal quota.  


Athletes born in 2007-2008 must satisfy the Cycling Ireland and OFI selection criteria in order to be nominated for selection.  


The full selection criteria can be viewed here. 


An expression of interest (EOI) form here must be submitted by a parent/guardian of the athlete to HPAdmin@cyclingireland.ie between May 10th and 5 pm on May 24th.  


Cycling Ireland Head Coach Neill Delahaye said: 

"The EYOF provides Youth Riders with a valuable exposure to some of highest level of racing on the continent within their age bracket. It is important to us that the experience of racing at this level is a positive one for the riders and they gain valuable exposure not just to high level competition but professional standard support, learning and team environment. We have a great track record at these games in past editions and with the crop of talent out there at the moment, we are excited to work with the OFI again to provide the opportunities to our talented young athletes to perform at their best under the flag of Team Ireland."


The High Performance Unit appointed staff for the event are Gary McKeegan (Team Lead / Coach), Jennifer Bates (Manager / Carer), Adrian Delaney (Mechanic).