By Gary Anderson

September 30 - The new chairperson of Paralympics Ireland Athletes Commission Eimear BreathnachTwo-time table tennis Paralympian Eimear Breathnach has been elected as the chairperson of the new Paralympics Ireland Athletes' Commission at its inaugural meeting in Dublin.


Breathnach, who competed at Beijing 2008 and London 2012, now becomes a member of the Board of Paralympics Ireland and will serve a four year term.

The Dubliner retired after the Games in London and her new role will see her representing the interests of all Paralympic athletes in all decision making at the top level of the organisation.

"I'm delighted to have been elected as chair of the Athletes Commission," said the 34-year-old, who has won a number of table tennis singles titles in a career spanning 12 years including the 2003 Irish Open, the 2006 and 2008 Liverpool Opens and the 2011 US Open.

"Hopefully as a retired Paralympian I will be well placed to lead the commission to be a successful body in representing the views and needs of Irish Paralympic athletes."

Eimear Breathnach competed at two Paralympic Games for Ireland in Beijing 2008 and London 2012Eimear Breathnach competed at two Paralympic Games for Ireland in Beijing 2008 and London 2012






















Breathnach was elected to her new role by the members of the Athletes' Commission who come from a cross section of sports, Paralympic experience and disability type.

The new body consists of current or former Paralympic athletes who have competed at Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 or London 2012 and includes double cycling world champion Colin Lynch, athletes Eoin Cleare and Lisa Callaghan, boccia players Gabriel Shelly and Keith Hayes, James Murrihy and Luke Evans from seven-a-side football, rower Helen Arbuthnot and equestrian competitor Breda Bernie.

Double world Para-cycling champion Colin Lynch is a member of the new Paralympics Ireland Athletes CommissionDouble world Para-cycling champion Colin Lynch is a member of the new Paralympics Ireland Athletes Commission



























"We've made some very significant changes to the terms of reference to the Athletes Commission to make it more effective and provide a greater voice for athletes in the development of athlete support programmes by Paralympics Ireland," said Liam Harbison, the organisation's chief executive .

"The new Commission has greater powers than previously and should give athletes greater input into our planning for Rio 2016.

"I congratulate Eimear Breathnach on her election and look forward to working with her closely on behalf of the athletes over the next four years."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]