Derval O'Rourke has called on RTÉ to show more of a variety of sports outside of the Olympic games.
RTÉ has had blanket coverage of the Paris Olympics over the last fortnight, showing athletics to basketball to everything else in between. But the former sprint hurdler feels that the national broadcaster should give a variety of sports more air-time outside of just the Olympic games.
She says that 'seeing is believing,' and in the case of athletics, suggested that more Diamond League events could be shown.
"We don't often show these sports," said the Cork woman.
"How often are we showing them? Is there a consideration of that?
"I was a female in sport and I feel very strongly about that visibility. I've a daughter and I think we need to show more of a variety of these sports, we shouldn't just be popping up every four years," she said.
"I know athletics gets some coverage but you have to consider, world championships are on next year, diamond leagues are on. From a national broadcaster perspective, whether it's that or the swimming or the rowing. I know they're showing bits and pieces, there has to be a discussion around that.
"You can be sure it's happening," Darragh Maloney.
Paris 2024: "Invest in sport. Look how positive it makes everyone."@DervalORourke @RM_Heffernan and @soniaagrith discuss the legacy of #Paris2024 and how Ireland can build on the success of the past fortnight #Olympics pic.twitter.com/vRmnWmQlfw
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 11, 2024
Former race-walker Rob Heffernan raised a similar concern to O'Rourke stating that in his experience as a five-time Olympian, the hype is huge but it's all forgotten about when the athletes come home.
"I've gone to five Olympics. We all get caught up in the hype. The athletes come home and everything is forgotten about," he said.
"Invest in sport. Look how positive it makes everybody. We need investment. The girls are going to come off the plane, they'll be in the áras, all of the politicians will be around. So put your money where your mouth is now and let's back them."
RTÉ commentator Timmy McCarthy has received lots of acclaim for bringing basketball to life throughout the games but barring the Olympics, there is little to no basketball on RTÉ.
The same goes for rowing, gymnastics, swimming and boxing which are rarely seen outside of the Olympics.
Unless of course the good people in Montrose decide to re-invest a very small amount to have some Irish basketball back on RTE again. Timmy got to commentate on big moments within our domestic game in the past and it would be great to have more, alongside the great TG4 coverage. https://t.co/onX6TGRkJD
— Conor Meany (@conormeany) August 11, 2024
