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Sports-law event to focus on Paris issues

The annual conference of the Bar of Ireland’s Sports Law Bar Association (SLBA) will look at issues arising before, during, and after the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. 

The event, which is open to all practitioners, takes place on Friday 6 December (1.15pm to 5.30pm) at the Distillery Building, 145-151 Church Street, Dublin 7.

Minister for Sport Thomas Byrne, who is a solicitor, will open the conference, which is worth 3.5 CPD hours.

Mr Justice David Barniville (President of the High Court) will close the event.

Panel discussions 

The first of three panel discussions, chaired by Gary McCarthy SC, will focus on selection and integrity at Paris 2024.  

The panellists are:

• Ms Justice Martina Christina Spreitzer-Kropiunik (CAS anti-doping judge and vice-president of the Criminal Court of Vienna),
• Paddy Murphy (solicitor, Ogier), and
• Sarah Keane (chief executive, Swim Ireland). 

Rebecca Lacy BL will chair the second discussion, entitled ‘Highs and Hurdles: Navigating Challenges at Paris 2024’.  

The panellists are:

• Yvonne Nolan (general counsel, World Rugby),
• Martin Gordon BL PLY, and
• Gavin Noble (Chef de Mission, Team Ireland, Paris 2024). 

The final discussion, entitled ‘Chasing Dreams: the athlete’s journey to the Olympic Games’, is chaired by Emma Davey BL and includes: 

• Derry McVeigh (co-founder, Silverhatch Sports),
• Tham Nyguen Gough (Olympic weightlifter), and
• Jack Kelly OLY (McCann FitzGgerald). 

Registration is now open.