Latest news with #post-Games
The Advertiser
22-07-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
Brisbane goes for gold with $70b win from 2032 Olympics
Australia is on track to strike Brisbane Olympic gold, with the 2032 Games forecast to pump more than $70 billion into the national economy. But a business expert has played down the Olympic-sized impact touted on Tuesday, warning the cost of preparing for a Games might outweigh the benefits. The seven-year countdown to the 2032 Games has begun, with a Deloitte Economics Report predicting the country would benefit from tens of billions of dollars post-Games. The report forecast the Games would help inject $39.5 billion and create 7800 additional full-time jobs for Queensland's southeast through to the year 2052. The remainder of Queensland was set to receive $19.3 billion and 4900 extra jobs, with $11.8 billion and 4700 additional jobs for the rest of the country over the 20-year period. "In some sense, the exact dollars don't matter," Deloitte Access Economics' Pradeep Philip told a packed Brisbane event boasting Olympic heavyweights on Tuesday. "It's the magnitude and the trajectory of our economic growth that is important." A forecast volunteering uptick is set to attract 50,000 mostly Australian people, and is expected to contribute to higher labour productivity, feeding the economic boom. Transport, event and public infrastructure set to be built for the Games would also contribute to the long-term economic legacy, Mr Philip said. Brisbane's enhanced reputation was also expected to be factor, contributing to higher pre-and post-Games tourism as well as boosting merchandise exports and foreign direct investment. Australian Olympic Committee CEO Mark Arbib said the report was "music to our ears". "We can't wait for Brisbane 2032, the world is going to come to Queensland," he said. But business expert Sheranne Fairley claimed projects rarely came in on budget and warned the Brisbane Olympics may not have a positive economic legacy. She urged people to keep a healthy amount of scepticism about the touted impacts, with a string of previous Olympic host cities enduring cost blowouts. "Pretty much every Games we've ever had, we've touted economic benefits and said there's going to be all these positive benefits," the University of Queensland academic told AAP. "But we see a lot of the time, there's cost blowouts. "Then there's really no sustained tracking of what those benefits are." She said multiple studies would likely be completed after the 2032 event boasting different Games impacts, but believed it would be difficult to determine its overall legacy. She cited the 2018 Commonwealth Games hosted by the Gold Coast, saying some businesses were left "high and dry" when they ordered extra stock for the expected influx of visitors that never came. "There were certainly some businesses that were left out of pocket," she said. Glasgow will host a pared-down Commonwealth Games in 2026 after Victoria reneged as host, citing contentious cost blow-outs. Yet Brisbane Olympic boss Andrew Liveris said the 2032 Games legacy would be different, after being hosted under new reforms. Brisbane organisers will abide by the Olympic "new norm" that encourages host cities to use existing or temporary venues to help ensure a more affordable, beneficial and sustainable Games. "We will deliver a Games for the entire region and the entire country that happens to have the word Brisbane as its headline," he told function on Tuesday. The 2032 Olympics will ensure Queensland had a reputation for "warmth, hospitality, openness" lasting beyond the event, he said. The clock is ticking for the Games after the Queensland government finally confirmed its venue blueprint in March, more than 1300 days after Brisbane was named host city. Victoria Park in Brisbane's inner city is expected to become the Games hub, with a 63,000-seat main stadium as part of a $7.1 billion venue funded by the state and federal governments. Australia is on track to strike Brisbane Olympic gold, with the 2032 Games forecast to pump more than $70 billion into the national economy. But a business expert has played down the Olympic-sized impact touted on Tuesday, warning the cost of preparing for a Games might outweigh the benefits. The seven-year countdown to the 2032 Games has begun, with a Deloitte Economics Report predicting the country would benefit from tens of billions of dollars post-Games. The report forecast the Games would help inject $39.5 billion and create 7800 additional full-time jobs for Queensland's southeast through to the year 2052. The remainder of Queensland was set to receive $19.3 billion and 4900 extra jobs, with $11.8 billion and 4700 additional jobs for the rest of the country over the 20-year period. "In some sense, the exact dollars don't matter," Deloitte Access Economics' Pradeep Philip told a packed Brisbane event boasting Olympic heavyweights on Tuesday. "It's the magnitude and the trajectory of our economic growth that is important." A forecast volunteering uptick is set to attract 50,000 mostly Australian people, and is expected to contribute to higher labour productivity, feeding the economic boom. Transport, event and public infrastructure set to be built for the Games would also contribute to the long-term economic legacy, Mr Philip said. Brisbane's enhanced reputation was also expected to be factor, contributing to higher pre-and post-Games tourism as well as boosting merchandise exports and foreign direct investment. Australian Olympic Committee CEO Mark Arbib said the report was "music to our ears". "We can't wait for Brisbane 2032, the world is going to come to Queensland," he said. But business expert Sheranne Fairley claimed projects rarely came in on budget and warned the Brisbane Olympics may not have a positive economic legacy. She urged people to keep a healthy amount of scepticism about the touted impacts, with a string of previous Olympic host cities enduring cost blowouts. "Pretty much every Games we've ever had, we've touted economic benefits and said there's going to be all these positive benefits," the University of Queensland academic told AAP. "But we see a lot of the time, there's cost blowouts. "Then there's really no sustained tracking of what those benefits are." She said multiple studies would likely be completed after the 2032 event boasting different Games impacts, but believed it would be difficult to determine its overall legacy. She cited the 2018 Commonwealth Games hosted by the Gold Coast, saying some businesses were left "high and dry" when they ordered extra stock for the expected influx of visitors that never came. "There were certainly some businesses that were left out of pocket," she said. Glasgow will host a pared-down Commonwealth Games in 2026 after Victoria reneged as host, citing contentious cost blow-outs. Yet Brisbane Olympic boss Andrew Liveris said the 2032 Games legacy would be different, after being hosted under new reforms. Brisbane organisers will abide by the Olympic "new norm" that encourages host cities to use existing or temporary venues to help ensure a more affordable, beneficial and sustainable Games. "We will deliver a Games for the entire region and the entire country that happens to have the word Brisbane as its headline," he told function on Tuesday. The 2032 Olympics will ensure Queensland had a reputation for "warmth, hospitality, openness" lasting beyond the event, he said. The clock is ticking for the Games after the Queensland government finally confirmed its venue blueprint in March, more than 1300 days after Brisbane was named host city. Victoria Park in Brisbane's inner city is expected to become the Games hub, with a 63,000-seat main stadium as part of a $7.1 billion venue funded by the state and federal governments. Australia is on track to strike Brisbane Olympic gold, with the 2032 Games forecast to pump more than $70 billion into the national economy. But a business expert has played down the Olympic-sized impact touted on Tuesday, warning the cost of preparing for a Games might outweigh the benefits. The seven-year countdown to the 2032 Games has begun, with a Deloitte Economics Report predicting the country would benefit from tens of billions of dollars post-Games. The report forecast the Games would help inject $39.5 billion and create 7800 additional full-time jobs for Queensland's southeast through to the year 2052. The remainder of Queensland was set to receive $19.3 billion and 4900 extra jobs, with $11.8 billion and 4700 additional jobs for the rest of the country over the 20-year period. "In some sense, the exact dollars don't matter," Deloitte Access Economics' Pradeep Philip told a packed Brisbane event boasting Olympic heavyweights on Tuesday. "It's the magnitude and the trajectory of our economic growth that is important." A forecast volunteering uptick is set to attract 50,000 mostly Australian people, and is expected to contribute to higher labour productivity, feeding the economic boom. Transport, event and public infrastructure set to be built for the Games would also contribute to the long-term economic legacy, Mr Philip said. Brisbane's enhanced reputation was also expected to be factor, contributing to higher pre-and post-Games tourism as well as boosting merchandise exports and foreign direct investment. Australian Olympic Committee CEO Mark Arbib said the report was "music to our ears". "We can't wait for Brisbane 2032, the world is going to come to Queensland," he said. But business expert Sheranne Fairley claimed projects rarely came in on budget and warned the Brisbane Olympics may not have a positive economic legacy. She urged people to keep a healthy amount of scepticism about the touted impacts, with a string of previous Olympic host cities enduring cost blowouts. "Pretty much every Games we've ever had, we've touted economic benefits and said there's going to be all these positive benefits," the University of Queensland academic told AAP. "But we see a lot of the time, there's cost blowouts. "Then there's really no sustained tracking of what those benefits are." She said multiple studies would likely be completed after the 2032 event boasting different Games impacts, but believed it would be difficult to determine its overall legacy. She cited the 2018 Commonwealth Games hosted by the Gold Coast, saying some businesses were left "high and dry" when they ordered extra stock for the expected influx of visitors that never came. "There were certainly some businesses that were left out of pocket," she said. Glasgow will host a pared-down Commonwealth Games in 2026 after Victoria reneged as host, citing contentious cost blow-outs. Yet Brisbane Olympic boss Andrew Liveris said the 2032 Games legacy would be different, after being hosted under new reforms. Brisbane organisers will abide by the Olympic "new norm" that encourages host cities to use existing or temporary venues to help ensure a more affordable, beneficial and sustainable Games. "We will deliver a Games for the entire region and the entire country that happens to have the word Brisbane as its headline," he told function on Tuesday. The 2032 Olympics will ensure Queensland had a reputation for "warmth, hospitality, openness" lasting beyond the event, he said. The clock is ticking for the Games after the Queensland government finally confirmed its venue blueprint in March, more than 1300 days after Brisbane was named host city. Victoria Park in Brisbane's inner city is expected to become the Games hub, with a 63,000-seat main stadium as part of a $7.1 billion venue funded by the state and federal governments. Australia is on track to strike Brisbane Olympic gold, with the 2032 Games forecast to pump more than $70 billion into the national economy. But a business expert has played down the Olympic-sized impact touted on Tuesday, warning the cost of preparing for a Games might outweigh the benefits. The seven-year countdown to the 2032 Games has begun, with a Deloitte Economics Report predicting the country would benefit from tens of billions of dollars post-Games. The report forecast the Games would help inject $39.5 billion and create 7800 additional full-time jobs for Queensland's southeast through to the year 2052. The remainder of Queensland was set to receive $19.3 billion and 4900 extra jobs, with $11.8 billion and 4700 additional jobs for the rest of the country over the 20-year period. "In some sense, the exact dollars don't matter," Deloitte Access Economics' Pradeep Philip told a packed Brisbane event boasting Olympic heavyweights on Tuesday. "It's the magnitude and the trajectory of our economic growth that is important." A forecast volunteering uptick is set to attract 50,000 mostly Australian people, and is expected to contribute to higher labour productivity, feeding the economic boom. Transport, event and public infrastructure set to be built for the Games would also contribute to the long-term economic legacy, Mr Philip said. Brisbane's enhanced reputation was also expected to be factor, contributing to higher pre-and post-Games tourism as well as boosting merchandise exports and foreign direct investment. Australian Olympic Committee CEO Mark Arbib said the report was "music to our ears". "We can't wait for Brisbane 2032, the world is going to come to Queensland," he said. But business expert Sheranne Fairley claimed projects rarely came in on budget and warned the Brisbane Olympics may not have a positive economic legacy. She urged people to keep a healthy amount of scepticism about the touted impacts, with a string of previous Olympic host cities enduring cost blowouts. "Pretty much every Games we've ever had, we've touted economic benefits and said there's going to be all these positive benefits," the University of Queensland academic told AAP. "But we see a lot of the time, there's cost blowouts. "Then there's really no sustained tracking of what those benefits are." She said multiple studies would likely be completed after the 2032 event boasting different Games impacts, but believed it would be difficult to determine its overall legacy. She cited the 2018 Commonwealth Games hosted by the Gold Coast, saying some businesses were left "high and dry" when they ordered extra stock for the expected influx of visitors that never came. "There were certainly some businesses that were left out of pocket," she said. Glasgow will host a pared-down Commonwealth Games in 2026 after Victoria reneged as host, citing contentious cost blow-outs. Yet Brisbane Olympic boss Andrew Liveris said the 2032 Games legacy would be different, after being hosted under new reforms. Brisbane organisers will abide by the Olympic "new norm" that encourages host cities to use existing or temporary venues to help ensure a more affordable, beneficial and sustainable Games. "We will deliver a Games for the entire region and the entire country that happens to have the word Brisbane as its headline," he told function on Tuesday. The 2032 Olympics will ensure Queensland had a reputation for "warmth, hospitality, openness" lasting beyond the event, he said. The clock is ticking for the Games after the Queensland government finally confirmed its venue blueprint in March, more than 1300 days after Brisbane was named host city. Victoria Park in Brisbane's inner city is expected to become the Games hub, with a 63,000-seat main stadium as part of a $7.1 billion venue funded by the state and federal governments.
7NEWS
22-07-2025
- Business
- 7NEWS
Brisbane goes for gold with $70b win from 2032 Olympics
Australia is on track to strike Brisbane Olympic gold, with the 2032 Games forecast to pump more than $70 billion into the national economy. But a business expert has played down the Olympic-sized impact touted on Tuesday, warning the cost of preparing for a Games might outweigh the benefits. The seven-year countdown to the 2032 Games has begun, with a Deloitte Economics Report predicting the country would benefit from tens of billions of dollars post-Games. The report forecast the Games would help inject $39.5 billion and create 7800 additional full-time jobs for Queensland's southeast through to the year 2052. The remainder of Queensland was set to receive $19.3 billion and 4900 extra jobs, with $11.8 billion and 4700 additional jobs for the rest of the country over the 20-year period. 'In some sense, the exact dollars don't matter,' Deloitte Access Economics' Pradeep Philip told a packed Brisbane event boasting Olympic heavyweights on Tuesday. 'It's the magnitude and the trajectory of our economic growth that is important.' A forecast volunteering uptick is set to attract 50,000 mostly Australian people, and is expected to contribute to higher labour productivity, feeding the economic boom. Transport, event and public infrastructure set to be built for the Games would also contribute to the long-term economic legacy, Philip said. Brisbane's enhanced reputation was also expected to be a factor, contributing to higher pre-and post-Games tourism as well as boosting merchandise exports and foreign direct investment. Australian Olympic Committee CEO Mark Arbib said the report was 'music to our ears'. 'We can't wait for Brisbane 2032, the world is going to come to Queensland,' he said. But business expert Sheranne Fairley claimed projects rarely came in on budget and warned the Brisbane Olympics may not have a positive economic legacy. She urged people to keep a healthy amount of scepticism about the touted impacts, with a string of previous Olympic host cities enduring cost blowouts. 'Pretty much every Games we've ever had, we've touted economic benefits and said there's going to be all these positive benefits,' the University of Queensland academic said. 'But we see a lot of the time, there's cost blowouts. 'Then there's really no sustained tracking of what those benefits are.' She said multiple studies would likely be completed after the 2032 event boasting different Games impacts but believed it would be difficult to determine its overall legacy. She cited the 2018 Commonwealth Games hosted by the Gold Coast, saying some businesses were left 'high and dry' when they ordered extra stock for the expected influx of visitors that never came. 'There were certainly some businesses that were left out of pocket,' she said. Glasgow will host a pared-back Commonwealth Games in 2026 after Victoria reneged as host, citing contentious cost blowouts. Yet Brisbane Olympic boss Andrew Liveris said the 2032 Games legacy would be different, after being hosted under new reforms. Brisbane organisers will abide by the Olympic 'new norm' that encourages host cities to use existing or temporary venues to help ensure a more affordable, beneficial and sustainable Games. 'We will deliver a Games for the entire region and the entire country that happens to have the word Brisbane as its headline,' he told function on Tuesday. The 2032 Olympics will ensure Queensland had a reputation for 'warmth, hospitality, openness' lasting beyond the event, he said. The clock is ticking for the Games after the Queensland government finally confirmed its venue blueprint in March, more than 1300 days after Brisbane was named host city. Victoria Park in Brisbane's inner city is expected to become the Games hub, with a 63,000-seat main stadium as part of a $7.1 billion venue funded by the state and federal governments.
Perth Now
22-07-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Brisbane goes for gold with $70b win from 2032 Olympics
Australia is on track to strike Brisbane Olympic gold, with the 2032 Games forecast to pump more than $70 billion into the national economy. But a business expert has played down the Olympic-sized impact touted on Tuesday, warning the cost of preparing for a Games might outweigh the benefits. The seven-year countdown to the 2032 Games has begun, with a Deloitte Economics Report predicting the country would benefit from tens of billions of dollars post-Games. The report forecast the Games would help inject $39.5 billion and create 7800 additional full-time jobs for Queensland's southeast through to the year 2052. The remainder of Queensland was set to receive $19.3 billion and 4900 extra jobs, with $11.8 billion and 4700 additional jobs for the rest of the country over the 20-year period. "In some sense, the exact dollars don't matter," Deloitte Access Economics' Pradeep Philip told a packed Brisbane event boasting Olympic heavyweights on Tuesday. "It's the magnitude and the trajectory of our economic growth that is important." A forecast volunteering uptick is set to attract 50,000 mostly Australian people, and is expected to contribute to higher labour productivity, feeding the economic boom. Transport, event and public infrastructure set to be built for the Games would also contribute to the long-term economic legacy, Mr Philip said. Brisbane's enhanced reputation was also expected to be factor, contributing to higher pre-and post-Games tourism as well as boosting merchandise exports and foreign direct investment. Australian Olympic Committee CEO Mark Arbib said the report was "music to our ears". "We can't wait for Brisbane 2032, the world is going to come to Queensland," he said. But business expert Sheranne Fairley claimed projects rarely came in on budget and warned the Brisbane Olympics may not have a positive economic legacy. She urged people to keep a healthy amount of scepticism about the touted impacts, with a string of previous Olympic host cities enduring cost blowouts. "Pretty much every Games we've ever had, we've touted economic benefits and said there's going to be all these positive benefits," the University of Queensland academic told AAP. "But we see a lot of the time, there's cost blowouts. "Then there's really no sustained tracking of what those benefits are." She said multiple studies would likely be completed after the 2032 event boasting different Games impacts, but believed it would be difficult to determine its overall legacy. She cited the 2018 Commonwealth Games hosted by the Gold Coast, saying some businesses were left "high and dry" when they ordered extra stock for the expected influx of visitors that never came. "There were certainly some businesses that were left out of pocket," she said. Glasgow will host a pared-down Commonwealth Games in 2026 after Victoria reneged as host, citing contentious cost blow-outs. Yet Brisbane Olympic boss Andrew Liveris said the 2032 Games legacy would be different, after being hosted under new reforms. Brisbane organisers will abide by the Olympic "new norm" that encourages host cities to use existing or temporary venues to help ensure a more affordable, beneficial and sustainable Games. "We will deliver a Games for the entire region and the entire country that happens to have the word Brisbane as its headline," he told function on Tuesday. The 2032 Olympics will ensure Queensland had a reputation for "warmth, hospitality, openness" lasting beyond the event, he said. The clock is ticking for the Games after the Queensland government finally confirmed its venue blueprint in March, more than 1300 days after Brisbane was named host city. Victoria Park in Brisbane's inner city is expected to become the Games hub, with a 63,000-seat main stadium as part of a $7.1 billion venue funded by the state and federal governments.
The Hindu
02-07-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
A look at India's sports policy journey post independence
The story so far: Sport in India can trace its roots back to pre-historic times, when physical skills that are now foundational to modern sports were then integral to daily life. As hunters and gatherers, humans relied on abilities like archery, wrestling, swimming, and climbing, not for recreation, but for survival. These have now evolved into the individual and team sports that we are familiar with today. How did sports do post 1947? India's sports policy journey since 1947 must be seen in the context of the nation's broader socio-economic development. Post the British Raj, India's prime focus was on rebuilding the nation by addressing poverty, health, and education. It is therefore understandable that sectors like sports did not feature prominently in the national agenda. Even so, India hosted the first Asian Games in New Delhi in 1951, a bold assertion of the country's regional aspirations and soft power. In 1954, the government set up the All-India Council of Sports (AICS) to advise on sports matters, support federations, and fund elite athletes. However, allocations were modest, resulting in athletes missing international competitions due to a lack of financial support. For nearly three decades, nothing notable transpired on the policy front. Yet, India's men's hockey team dominated the Olympics from 1920 to 1980. And Indian athletics saw stars emerge such as Milkha Singh (200/400m), Gurbachan Singh (decathlon), Praveen Kumar Sobti (discus and hammer throw), and Kamaljeet Sandhu, the first Indian woman to win an individual gold medal at the Asian Games. When did India's sports policy begin? The 1982 Asian Games catalysed change. The government created a dedicated Department of Sports under the Ministry of Human Resource Development. Riding the post-Games momentum, India finally unveiled its first National Sports Policy (NSP) in 1984. The NSP 1984 aimed to improve infrastructure, promote mass participation, and raise standards in elite sports. It also stressed the importance of integrating sports with education, which was formalised in the 1986 National Education Policy. That same year, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) was established to implement policy, and athlete development programs. While global sports ecosystems evolved rapidly between 1986 and 2000, they remained tepid in India. Sports is a 'State' subject in the Constitution and though the Union government had earmarked it a modest budget, the involvement of society and markets were minimal. Policies remained weak, and implementation inconsistent. India's economy too remained sluggish through the 1980s. However, 1991 marked a turning point, with the emergence of liberalisation. This economic shift coincided with cultural changes. Cable television, global exposure, and a rising middle class brought greater visibility and aspiration for sports. A Draft NSP in 1997 recognised this, proposing that States focus on broadbasing, while the Union concentrated on elite excellence. But it never went beyond the draft stage. How has sports evolved post-2000? In 2000, India created a dedicated Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS). A revised National Sports Policy was launched in 2001, setting clearer goals for mass participation and international excellence. This period also saw sports feature in the Union Budget, albeit with a small allocation. India's Olympic medal tally remained modest, with Rajyavardhan Rathore's silver (2004), Abhinav Bindra's gold (2008) and bronzes in boxing from Vijender Singh (2008) and Mary Kom (2012). In 2011, the National Sports Development Code (NSDC) was introduced, aiming to regulate and professionalise National Sports Federations (NSFs). It addressed governance, anti-doping, age fraud, betting, gender issues etc. but as always, implementation remained the hurdle. However, several impactful schemes were launched over the years — TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme 2014) provided elite athletes with coaching, nutrition, and infrastructure support; Khelo India (2017) conducted youth talent identification across schools and universities; and the Fit India Movement (2019) promoted physical activity and fitness as a public health priority. Can India host the Olympics? India's intent to host the 2036 Olympics has ignited momentum. In 2024, the government released both the Draft National Sports Policy and the Draft National Sports Governance Bill for public feedback. Whether these make it to law remains to be seen. The good news is that yesterday the NSP 2025 was announced, unveiled as ' Khelo Bharat Niti- 2025', reinforcing India's 2036 Olympic bid. Similarly, measures that have been deliberated for a while, like the Draft National Code for Good Governance in Sports, 2017 should be given the go-ahead. India had the ignominious distinction of topping the latest global doping list released by WADA. It's about time for all stakeholders to move beyond self-interest and enforce reforms for the larger good of Indian sport. We must now prioritise scientific coaching, physical literacy, and sports in education. Lasting change demands sustained action. Building a 'sporting nation' doesn't happen overnight. With Khelo Bharat Niti 2025, we have a golden opportunity to fast-track India's long-term sporting ambitions. The question is, are we game? Malathi Renati is Head of Policy School at the Takshashila Institution.
RTÉ News
27-06-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Single scull a silver lining for crewless Fiona Murtagh
Back in November, Fiona Murtagh put behind her a challenging few months to return to the National Rowing Centre in Cork. More than three months had passed since the bitter disappointment of the Paris Olympics, and the Galway native was struggling to plot out her future. Murtagh and Aifric Keogh – part of the women's four in Tokyo alongside Eimear Lambe and Emily Hegarty that swept to an unlikely bronze – travelled to France as serious medal contenders in the women's pair. Podium finishers in every race that season, they could only manage a sixth-place semi-final finish. Having experienced such highs in Tokyo (Murtagh and Keogh became, and remain, the only Galway athletes to claim an Olympic medal), a combination of underperformance and the lack of a post-Games plan hit the 29-year-old hard. Keogh retired and of the coaches that were involved in the Paris Games, only Dominic Casey remains, with Rowing Ireland yet to fill the vacancy left by high-performance director Antonio Maurogiovanni's departure. "After Paris I took a break, I really wasn't sure what to do, I had nothing planned," Murtagh told RTÉ Sport. "In hindsight, it was not a good idea. I really fell off a cliff. People were retiring, coaches were leaving. There was a lot of uncertainty in the air. I was a sweep rower (two hands on one oar, as opposed to sculling where each rower uses two oars). I was trying to think, 'where do I fit in?' 'Where do I belong in this organisation now?'" Once the dust had finally settled on Paris, Murtagh began to plan ahead. Inevitably, she kept circling back to her sport. "I knew myself I had so much more to give, I just didn't know how that was going to be done." Enter Dominic Casey, Ireland's most successful rowing coach. It was his suggestion to try out the single-scull. Eased back into the boat, it was now a fresh challenge of working solo. That first day back in November, it was a case of old habits dying hard. After the warm-up, she waited in the areas reserved for the fours and quads, the pairs and doubles; lining up where the singles took off from didn't enter her mind. "After a few months off, you are on edge," she says. "Without thinking I just stood beside the pair, waiting for Aifric and Giuseppe (De Vita, high performance coach). It was that moment, 'they're not here'." Those early months were a steep learning curve. The pace was "crawling" and old techniques had to be discarded; how she approached the catch (the oar entering the water) and moving through the leg drive may not seem massively different to the untrained eye. For Murtagh it was night and day. In the past, Keogh had taken charge of steering in the pair, while as part of the four, Lambe looked after the calls. Now the responsibility landed squarely on her shoulders. "Even though you know how to do them, it's about owning it," she says. There were no goals set in those early days, just reassurance and guidance from Casey. The lack of pressure was a rare treat, the sole focus simply getting to grips with the solo adventure. At the turn of the year, the winter labour was beginning to bear fruit. At her first trial she was second to Mags Cremen. For the final European trials, she was first past the finish line. She went to the European Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, earlier this month, full of nerves and possibilities. "I won my heat and it was instilling confidence in me throughout the regatta. I was more confident in my start, I always backed my middle. When I won the semi, I knew I was in with a chance." Seven months after beginning her sculling journey in Cork, Murtagh was back on the podium. "Throughout the last season, I never thought about winning at the European championships until I got there," she says. "If you told me after Paris if I'd be sitting here, with a European silver in the single, I'd be like 'you're lying to me'." She's not wedded to the idea of sculling in Los Angeles. It could pan out that way, but "you never know what Dominic has in mind". The mental and physical demands will stand to her regardless, Murtagh feeling the fittest she has ever been. This weekend she is in Switzerland, part of a strong Irish squad competing at the World Rowing Cup in Lucerne, the next chapter in her journey. "I'm still learning," she says. "People laugh at me when I say I'm a novice. In the single. It's a good thing. I'm motivated to learn that skill. "It's different. It's not me doing it for someone else, it's me doing it for me. There is a lot of self-growth and self-realisation to want to do that."
