SARAH KEANE, CEO of Swim Ireland, has been elected as the new president of the Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI).

Keane, who is currently serving as the CEO of Swim Ireland, will take over from acting president Willie O’Brien, who ran against her in the election, after leading the OCI since last August when former president Pat Hickey left the post.

Keane also defeated former CEO of the FAI and current CEO of Basketball Ireland, Bernard O’Byrne, in a vote that took place in the Conrad Hotel in Dublin this evening.

Keane said after the election that she felt “humbled and privileged to have been elected as President of the OCI” and that she looks forward to having an “athlete centred approach” in all that the organisation does.

Speaking afterwards, O’Byrne expressed his disappointment at being beaten.

“I am disappointed that I have not been voted into the role at this evening’s EGM. The OCI is an organization that has been calling out for change for a number of years, and I am disappointed that I will not be involved in that change as we move towards Tokyo 2020.”

He also wished Sarah Keane “all the best in the new role”.

Keane took charge of Swim Ireland 10 years ago and has also been a member of the OCI board for a number of years.

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