OCI President Pat Hickey was on hand to accept the new vehicle at the Grand Canal Dock Plaza in the Irish capital, which was officially handed over by Dieter Kuehnle, representing the IOC. 

The new van will be used by the national sports federations accredited to the OCI and replaces one originally presented by the Olympic Solidarity programme in 2001.

"This new van is very warmly received and will be extensively used by our many Olympic sports federations for transportation to competitions at home and abroad," said Hickey.

"Its presentation is a great example of the work of Olympic Solidarity and the positive impact it has on the work of National Olympic Committees".

The presentation was also attended by former Olympic boxer Darren O'Neill, chair of the OCI's Olympic Athletes' Commission, along with swimmer Barry Murphy and Irish women's international rugby player Nicole Cronin, who will be hoping to be part of the Irish sevens squad at Rio 2016.

OCI President Pat Hickey (right) was presented with the new van by Dieter Kuehnle, who was representing the IOC ©OCI



The old van, which has ferried athletes, teams and sporting gear throughout Ireland and Europe has not been put out of commission, however, as it will be used by the Irish Amateur Boxing Association (IABA) in the build-up to the Rio Olympic Games.

"Boxing is Ireland's most successful Olympic sport," said Hickey.

"This van will undoubtedly see a huge amount of usage in the coming years."

The Olympic Solidarity programme offers assistance and support across the Olympic movement covering athletes, coaches, NOC management and promotion of Olympic values.

NOCs are offered financial, technical and administrative assistance through world programmes, continental programmes, Olympic Games subsidies and complementary programmes.

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