Spectacular Paris ceremony officially opens Games as Ennis goes into action

Batterstown-based rider makes early start in the dressage

The Paris Olympics opened in spectacular fashion last night with golfer Shane Lowry and runner Sarah Lavin the official flag bearers for the Irish team which includes a number of athletes with Meath connections.

This morning Sarah Ennis (49) kicked off the action for those with Royal County connections when she took part in the dressage with her horse Action Lady M, a 10-year-old mare bred and co-owned by Susanne Macken, who is based outside Kells.

The dressage took place against the backdrop of the superb Palace of Versailles.

Ennis is involved in the cross-country event on Sunday and the individual jumping on Monday. From Howth she is based in Batterstown with her husband Nicky Potterton who is chairman of Eventing Ireland.

At the Olympics all those who have qualified as a team of three can also compete for medals on an individual basis and Ennis can believe she can get to a podium.

This afternoon also Ryan Mullen will take part in the first of cycling events the Road Race time-trial. An eight-time Irish champion, Ryan was the youngest ever (19) champion when he won the first of his three national road race titles in 2014. He won two bronze medals at European U23s in 2013 and a silver on the road at World U23s a year later when he was only a fraction of a second from gold.

Mullen's grandparents are from Duleek.

Tomorrow (Sunday) Kathy Baker takes to the pitch with the Irish Sevens team as they take on Great Britain at 2.30pm and South Africa 6pm. On Monday Ireland play Australia, 1.30pm.

Baker is from Kilcloon and took up rugby while she was attending Kings Hospital school. She made her debut in 2018. The team have a decent chance of finishing up with a medal.

More than 10,000 athletes from 184 countries will compete in 32 sports over the next two weeks.

Among those to wish all the Irish athletes the best was President Michael D Higgins.

President's statement

“As President of Ireland, may I extend my very best wishes to all those Olympians who will represent our country with such distinction over the course of the XXXIII Olympiad now underway in Paris.

"Competing at the Olympic Games is the pinnacle of a sporting career and represents four years of dedicated work and preparation by our athletes.

"This year’s Olympics has a special significance for Ireland, as it marks the centenary of our first appearance at the Olympics as an independent nation in the same city. That was at the 1924 Paris Olympics.

"I know that everyone in the country will be firmly behind each and every one of our athletes as they seek to perform to their highest potential. This will hopefully add to the 11 Gold Medals, 10 Silver Medals and 14 Bronze Medals which athletes representing Ireland have won since 1924.

"May I wish each of them, their coaches, support team and all of their families and friends the very best of luck over what promises to be a very exciting two weeks for Irish sport.

Traoslaím libh uilig, beir bua!”