Irish Olympians have said they hope the details of Budget 2027 include an increase in funding. 

Elite athletes are funded by Sport Ireland, with a maximum of €40,000 available every year. 

However, many athletes receive significantly less and Olympic swimmer Tom Fannon is currently funded €18,000 a year - notably less than a worker on the minimum wage. 

“[That pays for] your basic daily stuff, your rent, your training lifestyle, sometimes travel to certain international meets,” he explained on The Claire Byrne Show. 

“It can get tough.”

Tom Fannon. Image: Supplied.

Three years ago, Mr Fannon set an Irish senior record of 21.95 seconds for the 50 metres freestyle and he finished 10th in the Paris Olympics in the men's 50 metres freestyle.

However, swimming is generally not of interest to companies looking to sponsor an athlete.

“Swimming, the sport I do, [it] is pretty non-existent unless you're a Daniel Whitham,” he said. 

“So it's tough; I'm consistently doing pretty well, but I have nothing.

“My sponsorship is my parents, so they help me.” 

Tom Fannon. Image: Supplied.

As a result, many athletes from poorer backgrounds simply cannot afford to compete in elite sport. 

“People look at the 40 grand and go, ‘Oh, that's that's a decent wage or decent living’,” Mr Fannon said. 

“That's the highest level of support that you can get. 

“Most of us, I'd say 90% are on the €18,000 or €25,000 [level of support].”

Also on the programme, Aifric Keogh of the Olympic Federation of Ireland said they are still waiting to see the “exact detail” of Budget 2027, but were encouraged to hear additional funding will be available. 

“We're kind of waiting to see from Minister O’Donovan the actual finer details of that,” she said.

Main image: Tom Fannon. Image: Supplied.